THERE was a big police presence in Cardigan yesterday afternoon (Sunday, February 10) as officers hunted for a man following an incident at Synod Inn

Police had earlier arrested one man and were acting on information which suggested the outstanding man could be in the Cardigan area.

Officers urged people to keep their vehicles and outbuildings locked while the operation was underway which involved dog units and the police helicopter.

One local resident

Police were called to Synod Inn at around 1.15pm on Saturday by a police officer who had been attacked following a routine stop on a car passing through. The officer is currently waiting for further medical assessments and is unable to return to work.

A large scale search was carried out through the afternoon and evening, with a 29-year-old man from the Sussex area arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and three counts of taking vehicles without consent. He remains in police custody at this time.

Chief Superintendent Peter Roderick said: “We are asking people to remain vigilant, not fearful, as at the present time we believe this man to pose more of a risk to police officers than members of the public.

“We are using all the information we have to trace him, and people living in the Cardigan area might have noticed a higher than usual police presence as we act on intelligence we have received.

“We continue to urge people in Ceredigion to keep their domestic and farm vehicles locked, with the keys out of the ignition. This will minimise opportunities for the individual to leave the area. Please also report any suspicious information to us, particularly if you believe someone might be using a shed or outbuilding for cover.

“Please report any suspicious behaviour to police by calling 999.”