An incident involving machetes sparked the gunpoint arrests of two men in Chippenham.
Armed police were deployed after a vehicle linked to a violent disorder in Frome, Somerset, pinged ANPR cameras in Wiltshire shortly before 11pm on Friday (24 July).
A National Police Air Service helicopter had been circling the initial scene in search for the suspects, who are said to have attended a property brandishing machetes. The chopper moved to Hilltop Park, Chippenham, following the ANPR hit.
The car involved, a black Audi A3, was found abandoned in Hunters Field with damage. A number of people decamped and made off on foot, according to witnesses.
Moments later firearms officers flooded the street – poining assault rifles at the front of a property around 50 metres away, shouting for the occupants to come to the door.
Three males came out of the address with their hands up – as green dots appeared on their chests from laser sights on the officers’ guns.
A woman and young child also appeared at the door of the property in which the suspects were located; she shouted words to the effect of ‘you’re scaring my child’.
All three males were detained in the street, as officers carried out a search of the home. Two of the three males were subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
A 20-year-old man was also arrested on suspicions of drink driving, affray, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
The street was blocked by police vehicles for around two hours, and recovery of the damaged Audi was arranged. The incident was ongoing until around 1.30am.
