Police confirm man assaulted at St Cuthbert's in Darlington

Emergency services were called to St Cuthbert's Church at around 2.50pm on Monday (September 16) after reports that a man had been assaulted. 

A police cordon was erected over several paths in the churchyard and next to Tubwell Row and Stonebridge following the incident. 

Police at the scene of the incident (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) The emergency service presence remained centred on a section of the the church graveyard, with paramedics crowding around an area. One officer was also seen carrying several evidence bags. 

Durham Police has since launched an investigation, confirming that officers are now looking for the suspect.

Five police cars and two ambulances in total were at the scene - with a critical care team from the Great North Air Ambulance Service also spotted nearby. 

Crowds gathered beside the churchyard after spotting the large 999 presence, with one Darlington resident telling The Northern Echo: “It was all set up when we got here, it was about 20 minutes ago. I don’t know what has happened.” 

His friend added: “I just saw the paramedics doing something to someone over there. There are four paramedic cars and four police cars , and there are more ambulance teams over there too. I’ve never seen this many before.”

One woman, who works nearby and was watching the incident from a distance, added: “I came here about 10 minutes ago - I don’t know what has happened. It is not a shock for this place. But there’s not normally quite that much [police and ambulances]."

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A spokesperson for the police force said: "Police were called shortly before 2.50pm today following reports that a man had been assaulted near St Cuthbert’s Church, in Darlington.

"Paramedics also attended the scene to administer first aid to the victim.

"Enquiries are ongoing to locate the suspect."

The  North East Ambulance Service has been contacted for further details

Police confirm man assaulted at St Cuthbert's in Darlington - you can follow the live blog here.