Around 60 police officers broke up a large-scale disorder in Marlborough last night.
Wiltshire Police received a number of calls at around 9.30pm yesterday (7 June) reporting that a large group of people had arrived at a funfair on The Common.
The situation escalated and there was subsequently a large-scale disorder, with multiple reports of weapons being used.
Due to the scale of the incident, more than 60 Wiltshire police officers, including firearms officers who were deployed as a precaution, were in attendance. Thames Valley Police were also at the scene.
Wiltshire 999s understands the incident involved a group of British showmen, commonly referred to as funfair travellers, and a group of Irish travellers who had come into the area.
Nobody was seriously injured and the groups were successfully separated and escorted away out of the county by around 2am.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Minty said: “Our police officers and staff dealt with a large-scale disorder in Marlborough overnight and, despite facing around 100 people involved in the disorder, they were able to successfully separate the two groups of people and escort them away from the site without anyone being seriously injured.
“I want to thank everyone involved for the professional way they handled such a complex and volatile situation.
“At this stage no arrests have been made, as our focus last night was on safely dispersing the two groups involved.
“However, I want the public to be reassured that a full investigation has now been launched to identify and apprehend those responsible for this violence.”
Anyone with information about the disorder who may be able to assist with our enquiries should call 101, quoting log 322 of last night (7 June).
Alternatively witnesses can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
