An incident at Wiltshire Police HQ followed a ‘mental health crisis’, the force has confirmed.
Specially-trained Marauding Terrorist Attack (MTA) teams were mobilised after a reported security breach at the premises in London Road, Devizes, on Tuesday (10 September).
Firearms officers were deployed on site as the main building was evacuated and staff in the nearby Crime and Communications Centre were locked down for their own safety.
Due to the nature of the threat received by the force, a significant number of resources were sent – including Hazardous Area Response Teams from South Western Ambulance Service.
More than ten ambulance vehicles could be seen parked in a nearby car park as officers closed the entrance and exit to the police headquarters.
But as more information came to light, and specialist policing teams carried out searches of the building, it was established that there was no threat.
The person who made the report to the police was located at their home address, and was found to be suffering a mental health crisis.
The Marauding Terrorist Attack (MTA) teams, who were responding from out of the county, were stood down en route at around 8.30pm – returning to their bases.
In a statement, Deputy Chief Constable Craig Dibdin said: “Yesterday evening, we responded to a report of a possible security breach at Police Headquarters Devizes.
“Whilst we were developing the information, a number of precautionary steps were taken to ensure the immediate safety of those on the HQ site including enactment of our security procedures and the deployment of armed officers.
“However, as new information came to light, commanders were able to identify that there had been no security breach.”
He added: “The reporting person, who was having a medical episode, was located by officers at their home address.
“There was no malicious intent by the reporting person.
“As per standard practice, we are taking the opportunity to review our procedures and response to this incident.
“At no point was there any threat to the public, officers or HQ staff.”
