A man has been found dead after armed police stormed a Wiltshire village wood.
Officers were deployed after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man in Grittleton, near Chippenham, at around 5pm yesterday (Thursday, 21 December).
Only firearms officers carrying rifles carried out the search in Dunley Wood, which suggests that the person may have used, possessed or had access to a gun.
Searches – supported by police dogs and the National Police Air Service helicopter from Bristol – continued until approximately 7.30pm, when the man’s body was located.
Armed police were also spotted inside a house on The Street, located about 200 metres from the wood – thought to be the address of the deceased.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this time. We do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death”, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said.
South Western Ambulance Service sent two operations officers to assist at the scene.
