ARMED police swarmed on Alfred Street yesterday afternoon as part of an investigation which left shocked residents baffled.

Wiltshire Police remained tight-lipped over the operation as the Adver went to press, after the drama unfolded at around 2.30pm.

Police sent five patrol cars to the area with armed officers putting a roadblock in place and searching entries and pathways.

The operation took place as the force released details of a fresh sighting in Swindon of 20-year-old Dzung Nguyen, who officers are keen to speak to in connection with an attempted murder in Old Town in July.

Jessica Partridge, 35, was walking past the street, just off Manchester Road, at the time of the incident, with her four-year-old daughter, Louise.

She said: “It was quite a scene. There were lots of officers who jumped out of the car and it appeared like they were searching the area but I don’t know what for.”

A resident, who lives in Alfred Street, but wished to remain anonymous, said: “There was police swarming everywhere with lots of cars parked right outside my front door.

“They wouldn’t let me walk down the street or into the entries. They wouldn’t tell me what was going on or what the whole was about and then they just left.”

Officers left the scene at 4.40pm and would not confirm why they were in Alfred Street.

A spokesman said: “We can confirm that officers attended an incident in Alfred Street, in Swindon, as part of an ongoing investigation.”

The incident came after the force released a new image as they continue to hunt a man wanted in connection with an attempted murder.

Wiltshire Police want to speak to 20-year-old Dzung Nguyen, who lives in Swindon, in connection with a stabbing which took place in Old Town in July.

A 25-year-old man was attacked with a knife several times during an assault, which happened just before 12.55pm on July 24, in the Town Gardens.

The victim was taken to Great Western Hospital with serious injuries but was later released.

Nguyen was identified quite quickly as someone the police need to contact but he has so far eluded them.

However, he was spotted in the Bridgemead area on Saturday and CCTV has now been released.

Nguyen is described described as Vietnamese, approximately 5ft 6ins tall, with black hair and brown eyes.

Police responded quickly to the incident which occurred in broad daylight, leaving many people shocked.

The Town Gardens were swiftly cordoned off while forensic evidence was gathered.

Shortly after the incident the knife used in the attack was recovered and two men, aged 18 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Both have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

  • Anyone with information with regards to Nguyen’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.