Police helicopter

THE hunt for a man who attacked his victim with a hammer is continuing this morning.

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A 43-year-old man ended up in hospital in the wake of the incident which happened at about 3pm yesterday in Oakes Close in Bury St Edmunds.

The victim, who lives in Oakes Close, was in a nearby nature area when he was attacked. It is understood his mobile phone and money were stolen from him.

The East of England Ambulance Service was called in and the victim was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The East of England Ambulance Service was called in and the victim was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

He suffered a head and hand injury in the attack. The seriousness of those injuries was unclear last night. though it is understood he was conscious when the emergency services arrived.

The attack sparked a major police search in the area which included the force helicopter.

A spokesman for the police last night confirmed they had a named suspect and were actively working to catch him. This morning the search for the man continues.

The incident has shocked the close-knit Howard estate community.

One resident who lives near to Oakes Close told how she first became aware of the incident when she spotted the police helicopter circling above the Howard Estate.

She said: “It is shocking and it just shows it doesn’t have to be night-time for something like this to happen. This happened in broad daylight - flip. I just heard the helicopter up in the air and wondered to myself what was going on now. We’ve also had police cars in the area.”

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called to an address in Bury to reports of a man, 43 years of age, suffering from a head injury.

“A paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, simultaneously backed up by an ambulance, was sent to the scene. The patient was conscious and breathing but suffering from a head injury and a hand injury.

“Following assessment and emergency care we conveyed him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further treatment.”