A Saltash man has been charged with attempted murder and the possession of an offensive weapon in connection with a stabbing incident which took place in the town. Andrew Barker, 25, was due to appear at Bodmin Magistrates Court yesterday, and had been remanded in police custody at Launceston since his arrest on Tuesday. A woman who was arrested at the same time on suspicion of assisting an offender was later released without charge. Police received a 999 call just before 2pm on Tuesday from a resident in Alamein Road, who could hear a commotion in the street. On arrival, the police and emergency services found a 19-year-old local man lying collapsed in the road and bleeding from a number of stab wounds. He was treated by paramedics and by a doctor from an air ambulance before being flown to Derriford Hospital in a critical condition. Residents assisted the young man until help arrived after he had been seen staggering out of a lane which links Long Park Road with Alamein Road before collapsing. Part of Alamein Road and the lane were closed by the police until 9.30pm while the area was inspected by two scenes of crime officers and a specialist police search team. The large police presence included 17 police officers and four PCSOs from Saltash, Torpoint, Liskeard and Plymouth. There were also armed response vehicles and a police dog handler at the scene. The initial police response was controlled by Inspector Dan Ivey, Sector Inspector for the Caradon Division, along with the control room at Middlemoor, Exeter, and the duty critical incident inspector. Speaking to the Cornish Times, Insp Ivey said: 'We are investigating the exact circumstances which led up to this incident, but do not believe this to be a random attack by a stranger. 'I would encourage people to stop and speak to us, if possible. We are seeking witnesses to this incident which I would describe as highly unusual for what is considered to be a quiet residential area of Saltash.' Town mayor Jean Dent said: 'This is an awful thing to have happened in a safe and happy town like Saltash. Our thoughts go out to the young man and his family and we hope the outcome will be favourable.'