Hammer threat in Chippenham to TV officer (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Hammer threat in Chippenham to TV officer

2:29pm Thursday 4th February 2010

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A 59-year-old man is being questioned by police after he threatened a TV licensing officer with a sledge hammer on Monday evening.

Police were called to Long Close in Chippenham where an officer from the TV licensing department was making inquiries at a home suspected to be using a television without a licence.

It was reported that when the man knocked on the door, the occupant answered with a sledge hammer, leaving the officer shaken.

Sergeant Phil Connor said: “A male came to the door carrying a sledge hammer, which resulted in the officer backing away from the scene and calling police.

“He was not attacked, but he felt extremely vulnerable and backed away immediately as he has most likely been trained to do.

“He quickly retired from the address and informed police of the incident - he was extremely shaken, and understandably so.”

When officers arrived they were subjected to a torrent of abuse from the man living at the house, and following a search of the home the sledge hammer was seized.

Evidence was gathered from the TV licensing department and as a result a man was arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning for a public disorder offence.

Sgt Connor said: “We are today working with the TV licensing department to not only deal with the public order offence, but also to deal with the possible offence of this male using a TV without a licence.

“That is going to be a joint investigation, and as a result of his behaviour we will also be sharing information with the local housing officers.

“This licensing officer was simply going about his daily duty and we will not tolerate this type of conduct.”

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