A MAN was attacked in Old Town this afternoon.

Detectives have launched an investigation into the incident, which happened on Victoria Road shortly before 12.30pm.

Three people - two men and a woman - were involved in a disturbance outside the Victoria News newsagent when it spread into the shop. 

Witnesses described seeing three men fighting on the street outside before one of them sought refuge behind the door to the store. 

During the struggle, one of the men was attacked with what police described as a "non-bladed article".

Fearing for their safety, a member of staff at the newsagent pressed the shop’s panic button.

Multiple police cars, including a dog unit, raced to the scene to assist. 

Shortly after the call to police, paramedics from the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Critical Care team and the South Western Ambulance Service responded to reports of a casualty near the Regent pub further down Victoria Road.

A man in his 20s was treated for injuries at the scene before being transported to Great Western Hospital, with a police escort, in an ambulance. 

The injured man is believed to be connected with the incident at Victoria News.

Detectives were quickly deployed to to carry out further enquiries at Victoria News and at the Probation Service offices on Victoria Road, where the injured man ended up. 

His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening and earlier reports that a knife was involved have been refuted by Wiltshire Police.

Police have not confirmed whether any arrests have been made at this stage, but Old Town residents have seen a heightened presence as officers continue to patrol the area.

Wiltshire Police has now launched an appeal for witnesses following the incident.   

Detective Inspector Simon Childe said: “We would like to speak to anyone who may have heard or seen anything suspicious in the Victoria Road area around this time today. 

“I would like to reassure local people that we believe this was not a random attack and we are putting on extra patrols in this part of Swindon. 

“Detectives will also be making enquiries in the local area.” 

If you can help the police with their enquiries, you can contact Swindon CID on 101 or alternatively you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.