A man who chucked an unknown substance at police in Melksham has been ‘sectioned’.
Two officers received treatment after the liquid was thrown at them when they responded to reports of an aggressive male in Catalina Court on Thursday (3 October).
Specialist officers – including a public order unit and negotiators – were deployed, some sporting white suits to protect them from the risk of being hit with chemicals.
The incident went on for several hours, with the street cordoned off to the public. Numerous ambulance and fire service vehicles were also present.
Wiltshire Police confirmed that a man, aged in his 40s, was later detained. It’s understood he was held under the Mental Health Act and is receiving treatment at a specialist hospital.
The officers who came into contact with the substance didn’t sustain any serious injuries and are thought to have been discharged at the scene following treatment.
Residents living in the area said they were worried. One concerned local told Wiltshire 999s that “it all seemed pretty major”.
Adding: “There were police and paramedics everywhere, some were wearing white suits like you see in the films.
“They were dressed up almost like forensics at a crime scene but wearing their normal uniform on top.
“It’s really worrying, the police won’t tell us anything here but my neighbour said an officer told her there’s nothing to worry about, but it doesn’t seem that way.”
