A man has been arrested after ‘waving a 12-inch knife’ around in Swindon town centre.
Police were called to reports of a man brandishing a knife by a member of the public who witnessed the terrifying sight at 12.09pm today (24 September).
The brave passerby immediately called 999 and followed the man, warning people to get away from him as he made his way from Albian Street, through Cambria Place towards Farnsby Street.
A witness told Wiltshire 999s that the male was possibly “smoking a spliff” whilst he was “waving the knife quite dramatically”. He said the knife was around 12 inches in length.
People reportedly fled in terror as the suspect made his way towards the play area in Cambria Place, where it’s said children were playing.
Officers moved in on the area and quickly detained the suspect in the pedestrian underpass below Milton Road.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “Our officers responded to reports from a member of the public of a man seen carrying a large knife near Cambria Bridge in Swindon at about 12.15pm today.
“A man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article in a public place and is currently in police custody.
“There were no reported injuries.
“This was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.”
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