A “SHOCKED” councillor still believes Bourton-on-the-Water is safe despite an incident which resulted in an arrest for attempted murder on Saturday.

Two arrests were made following a serious assault at the Kingsbridge pub, Bourton-on-the-Water at 10.35pm with officers appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Police were called to reports that a man had been punched and fallen unconscious following an altercation.

Officers attended along with paramedics and the man was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with suspected head injuries.

He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A 52-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a 50-year-old woman from London was arrested on suspicion of public order offences. Both have been released on bail.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, who represents Bourton and Northleach, said: “I was shocked to read it, Bourton is a very safe and beautiful place as is the Cotswolds,”

“The crime rate in the area is low but because we have small communities, villages and small towns, any incidents can become very big news.

“People are rightly shocked by what has happened, I am sure there is story behind it and I gather the people involved are from out of the area.

“I often talk to the police about crime and always feel assured that they are doing their best for us and by the fact that the levels of crime are still low.

“I have seen people have commented on social media but no one has been in touch about it and I think that is primarily because people do know that this is not typical at all.

“If it had involved people who were very local then it would have generated greater discussion.”

A number of people were at the pub at the time and investigating officers are asking anyone who hasn’t come forward to do so.

Information can be provided calling 101 and quoting incident 497 of August 28.

Information can be provided anonymously to independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org