A murder investigation has been launched in Devon today after a man died and several left injured in an alleged axe and knife attack.
Police said two men had been arrested following the death of a 27-year-old-man during an incident in Plymouth in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Officers were called to attend the Kings Arms pub at Tamerton Foliot following reports of a man reported to be in possession of a knife and axe between 1-1.30am.
A number of people called police to report a man holding a knife and an axe, with further calls of disturbance later in the morning.
On arrival officers found one man seriously injured and two men with knife injuries.
The 27-year-old man was taken to Derriford Hospital by ambulance, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police say they are treating the death of the man – who has not yet been named – as suspicious.
Two men who are understood to have suffered knife wounds, were treated at the scene before being taken to Derriford Hospital. It is believed one of these men is still in a critical condition.
Police said a weapon was recovered and two men – aged 20 and 21 both from Plymouth – have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Both men were taken to Charles Cross police station where they remain in custody.
Detective Superintendent Jim Colwell said: "We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the Tamerton Foliot area between 1-2am this morning to contact the police.
"We have established a cordon at Station Road to assist with scene investigation and our officers will be active in the area throughout the day conducting enquiries.
"Please speak to us, call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously if you have any information that could help us with our enquiries."
An area of green next to the pub has also been cordoned off with police tape.
One local resident who came home after 2am to see the police activity, said: "The road was all blocked, we had to walk part of the way home.
"We've heard it was a stabbing on the green. This is not the sort of stuff you expect in Tamerton."
Another resident said: "I've lived here for 44 years, and things like this don't happen. We have a very good relationship with the police here and it will have a big impact on the community.
Another local man added: "The police stopped us at each point on the way back into the village. By the time we had come back the incident was over.
"I was quite glad we weren't out in the village. It's a very close community and everyone says hello to each other and stops to chat. It's a big shock."
Anyone with any information regarding the incident should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting police log number log 169 01/01/15.
