A man was rushed to hospital after he was stabbed close to a retail park in Swindon.

The incident occurred at around 2.20pm after police received reports of a stabbing near Pets at Home at the Bridgemead Retail Park.

An ambulance raced to the scene and the victim, who was in his 20s, was subsequently taken to Great Western Hospital with his injuries.

A spokesperson for SWASFT said: “We were called at 2.19pm on Tuesday, 17 October to an incident on Great Western Way, Swindon.

"We sent a double-crewed land ambulance and an operations officer and conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Great Western Hospital.”

Swindon Advertiser: Police were at the scene of the stabbing near Pets at Home.Police were at the scene of the stabbing near Pets at Home. (Image: Newsquest)

Several police cars also attended with three staying the majority of the afternoon following the incident.

Cordons were put in place around the area by the police officers following the stabbing incident.

Several places were subsequently cordoned off with the woodlands surrounding Bridgemead Retail Park being targeted heavily with the crime scene tape.

The nearby underpass was also rendered inaccessible for the public as that too was taped up while police officers stood guard on either side of the tunnel.

Swindon Advertiser: The police at the underpass was cordoned off.The police at the underpass was cordoned off. (Image: Newsquest)

Finally, the area behind the shops at the retail park including Pets at Home was also cordoned off while a first aid kit and a red bicycle could be seen behind the cordon.

Police detectives and officers inspected and patrolled this particular location of the crime scene as other officers were dotted around nearby.

At the time a Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “We were called to reports of a stabbing near Pets at Home on the Bridgemead Retail Park, shortly after 2.20pm today.

 “A man in his 20s has been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries which are serious but not thought to be life-threatening.

 “A cordon is currently in place.

Swindon Advertiser: A police helicopter was circling around Swindon.A police helicopter was circling around Swindon. (Image: Newsquest)

“We are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about this incident to call us on 101 quoting log 156 of today.

 “Alternatively you can give information without leaving your name by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

“In an emergency always call 999.”

A police helicopter was also circling over Swindon shortly afterwards but it remains unclear whether this was related to the stabbing.

The helicopter could be spotted hovering over multiple areas of east Swindon including Covingham and Dorcan.