UPDATE: Man found dead after armed police storm Wiltshire village wood
Armed cops have swarmed a village in Wiltshire this evening (Thursday).
Numerous firearms officers – carrying rifles and wearing ballistic helmets – attended an address on The Street in Grittleton, near Chippenham, before rushing into nearby woodland.
The National Police Air Service helicopter from Bristol circled the area from 6pm, for approximately one hour – assisting police on the ground.
However, the chopper returned to base at 7pm and officers continued their searches, with the focus on Dunley Wood at the rear of the Grittleton Cricket Club pavilion.
Two dog units were also in attendance, with a general purpose dog deployed in support of the armed officers.
Two ambulance rapid response vehicles were parked close by, alongside a a police vehicle. An South Western Ambulance Service operations manager was present.
One local resident told Wiltshire 999s that it looked like a “manhunt”, adding that armed police initially raided a property in The Street a short time prior.
Another said they were “shocked” and expressed their concern over the amount of police vehicles parked in the village.
Further details about events are unclear. Given the nature of the response by police, they are thought to be searching for a person either deemed a high risk to themselves or the public.
At 7.30pm, the incident was ongoing.
