The key facts

  • A 47-year-old resident of North Cornelly crashed on Coity Road at around 12:43 BST on Monday; police said her injuries were not connected to the collision
  • A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following an armed police operation at the Ger-y-Nant complex
  • A cordon and an increased police presence remain in the area; some residents were unable to return home overnight

Arrest after woman's death

South Wales Police said a 47-year-old woman from North Cornelly in Bridgend crashed into a wall on Coity Road at approximately 12:43 BST on Monday and died. According to police, the injuries she sustained were 'not connected' to the collision. As a result, a 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Operation at the sheltered housing complex

The arrest was preceded by an armed police operation at the nearby Ger-y-Nant complex of sheltered housing for people over 60, which consists of 13 flats. Witnesses reported armed officers, drones, vans and personnel on the roof of the building. According to witness Darren Owen, at around one in the morning he heard movement on the street and saw officers leading a man out of the building. An increased police presence remains in the area, including six officers, police cars and vans; a cordon has been set up around Ger-y-Nant.

Police and residents' reaction

Chief Superintendent Jason Rhys described the events as a 'deeply concerning incident', thanked the local community for its support, which, he said, enabled an arrest to be made without further injuries, and also thanked residents who were temporarily unable to return home for their patience. Resident Mohammed Bobalazi said that because of the cordon he was unable to get home until one in the morning, and that firefighters were also working at the scene. Another local resident, Rose Thomas, expressed concern about the situation in the area, mentioning problems with alcohol and drugs.

Armed police on the roof of sheltered homeImage source, Darren Owen
Image caption,

Armed police on the roof of a sheltered housing complex in Bridgend

Police officers outside a street. It is a housing estate.
Image caption,

Ger-y-Nant, a sheltered housing retirement complex, where a man was arrested

Three images on local residents side by side. On the left a man is wearing a blue Gilet jacket over a black top. In the middle, the woman has a balck adn white chequered umbrella and a blue jacket on. On the right, the man is wearing a grey Nike t shirt.
Image caption,

Local residents say they have never

A montage of eight paintings showing the faces of nine children who died in the Aberfan disasterMegan has long, wavy reddish brown hair. She is wearing glasses, a white and blue top, and is smiling at the camera. She is sat on a dark leather chair, with a window and white walls in the backgroundRed, black and white sold sign outside a house