Police Confirm Suspects Have Left Wiltshire After Brutal Home Invasion
A nationwide manhunt is underway after two suspects in a horrific acid attack in Plymouth are believed to have left Wiltshire. Devon and Cornwall Police, working alongside the National Crime Agency (NCA), have widened their search for the fugitives, who remain at large.
Brutal and Targeted Attack
The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday, February 21, when two men forced entry into a home in Plymouth and doused a man in acid. The victim, a man in his 20s, sustained severe injuries and remains in a serious condition in hospital.
Detective Superintendent Jon Bancroft described the incident as a:
“brutal and terrifying attack on a man who remains in a very serious condition. His family are continuing to be supported by our specialist officers.”
Authorities believe this was a targeted attack linked to organised crime, heightening concerns about the potential danger posed by the suspects.
Search Moves Beyond Wiltshire
The two wanted men, described as Black males in their early 20s, were last seen in Grittleton, near Chippenham shortly after the attack. Reports suggest a local villager unknowingly gave them a lift to Chippenham railway station, where they may have caught a train out of the area.
However, Devon and Cornwall Police have since ruled out the possibility that the suspects are still in Wiltshire.
“Our enquiries have taken us further afield and we can confirm that we no longer believe the suspects to be in Wiltshire,” said Det Supt Bancroft.
“We are carrying out both national and international enquiries in our commitment to apprehend those responsible.”
The National Crime Agency is now assisting in the large-scale investigation, with officers scouring CCTV footage and conducting extensive forensic analysis.
Appeal for Information
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and come forward with any CCTV, dashcam, or relevant footage that could assist in tracking down the suspects.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or report via the Devon and Cornwall Police website, quoting log 69 of February 21.
Misinformation Warning
In response to false social media claims that a 14-year-old girl was also injured in the attack, police emphasised that such reports are inaccurate.
“We have seen much speculation online about the alleged suspects and the circumstances of the incident, which are untrue,” a police spokesperson stated.
“We urge the public to look to official sources for the facts surrounding this incident.”
