Man arrested after serious assault in Chester-le-Street

Crime scene investigators taped off part of Chester-le-Street following the violent incident near the Job Centre early this afternoon.

A man in his late 20s was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by ambulance and this evening police said his condition had ‘stabilised’.

A 35-year-old man from the Chester-le-Street area has been arrested in connection with the attack.

He is currently in custody at Durham City police station and enquiries are ongoing.

A cordon was set up on Station Road, near the library, following the attack at 1pm.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "One man, thought to be in his late twenties has been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where his condition has been ‘stabilised’.

“Despite rumours that the victim was stabbed, we can confirm he was not the victim of a stabbing.”

"A section of Station Road and Front Street has been cordoned off and police enquiries in the area are under way."

Police have cordoned off Station Road while investigations take place

The incident happened on the street to the side of The Lambton Arms Hotel.

One woman who works there said: “The first we knew of it was when a load of police cars arrived. The ambulance was already there when I looked outside.

“The police came in and asked the manager to shut the back door. We could not get out of the car park for a while. People are pretty shocked about it.”

Outside the pub two friends having a drink said the level of police activity made them think it was a murder inquiry.

One said: “It is definitely serious because of all of the coppers who are out along with the crime scene investigators.

“I was supposed to sign on at 2pm but could not get to the Job Centre because it was all blocked off.

“A lot of different rumours have been flying about.”

The other man said: “It is definitely a serious incident. There would not be all of this if it was not.”

Anyone with information should contact 101.