ARMED police officers were called to Raj restaurant in Marlborough on Monday evening to arrest a member of staff wanted in connection with domestic abuse.

Officers from Wiltshire backed up a Metropolitan Police unit as they arrested the 38-year-old for allegations of grievous bodily harm and common assault. The arresting officers were not armed but the back up unit was.

A Wiltshire police spokesman said: “As with any case like this one, a risk assessment will be made and if it is deemed necessary, as in this case, an armed response unit will also attend.”

The man was initially taken to Swindon custody unit but was later handed over to Metropolitan officers who took him to London to be interviewed.

The officers arrived shortly after Raj opened at 5.45pm so there were no customers in the Indian restaurant at the time.

Owner Bablu Haque said: “It was a shock because I didn’t know they were coming.

“It was the bank holiday so I was worried that it would have an impact on business but they weren’t here for long and we were busy as usual by 6.30pm.

“Marlborough is a small town so if people see the police here they wonder what is going on but this time we were able to help.

“I don’t know what has gone on since because nobody has said anything to me.”

Mr Haque said the police were in the restaurant for around five minutes and searched the kitchen before finding the suspect in the High Street.

The running of the restaurant has not been affected by the arrest and will be open as usual.

“The police officers were very nice and polite, they asked me some questions and I answered them,” Mr Bablu said. “I will always help the police when I can.”