Assault victim in hospital as police seal off city centre

● Main road into city centre blocked ● Forensics on site

Police locked down Perth’s city centre as they investigated a “serious” assault on a busy main road.

The city’s South Street – the main vehicular route through the centre of Perth – was sealed off outside St John’s shopping centre yesterday after a violent attack in the early hours of the morning.

It is understood a man was hospitalised with serious injuries, though they are not thought to be life threatening.

Detectives said a 35-year-old man sustained injuries to his head and body. He was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for treatment.

The victim is believed to have been attacked by three men.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

Officers yesterday sealed off a section of South Street from Scott Street to King Edward Street.

A forensics tent was erected outside the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in the city centre street.

A crime scene officer in a white suit was seen collecting evidence and documenting the scene on the pavement and road between the bank and the Tesco Metro branch on the opposite side of the road.

A source said: “There was something of a running battle and one man sustained serious injuries.

“He was taken to hospital, but they’re not thought to be life-threatening injuries.”

Police interviewed residents as they emerged from flats in the cordoned off area early yesterday morning.

One local, who asked not to be named, said: “I finished work late last night and went to bed and all was quiet.

“That was around 1am. I’ve been told this happened shortly afterwards.

“I got up this morning and looked out the window and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was obviously really serious and there were police everywhere and a female forensics officer working.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland’s Tayside Division said: “Police Scotland are investigating a serious assault that occurred in the South Street area of Perth around 1:20am this morning.

“The 35-year-old male victim sustained injuries to his head and body and is currently being treated in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.

“It is believed that three suspects were involved in the incident and anybody who witnessed the assault, or has any information in relation to it, are asked to contact Police Scotland.”