Chippenham
| CHARITY MATCH |  | | | CASH BOOST | | | | TRAGIC LOSS | | | | PICTURE GALLERY | | | | POPULAR GARDENER | | |
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Gunpoint arrests
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| Wood Lane where homes were raided |
WORKERS watched in amazement as undercover armed police swooped on suspected drug dealers in scenes they likened to Miami Vice.
Plain clothes firearm officers surrounded a black Mercedes in Old Foundry, near Hathaway Retail Park, after the two men went into a pet shop in the square.
Stunned shoppers and staff watched as the officers, dressed as builders, surrounded the car, pulled one of the men to the ground, pointed an automatic rifle at him, handcuffed him with cable and bundled him into a police van.
The two arrests led to a string of residential raids across Chippenham where Crime Scene Investigation officers seized a substantial amount of cash and class A drugs.
Eyewitnesses spoke of their shock at seeing the car surrounded on Tuesday afternoon.
One person, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was like a scene out of Miami Vice. At first I was shocked because all I saw was what looked like a builder holding a massive gun. Then I realised he was a police officer by his police hat.
"There were about eight or ten plain clothes officers in all with hand guns and one had what looked like a machine gun pointed at the man who was on the floor.
"Then there was shouting, screaming, throwing of car keys and all I could see was loads of guns.
"There were children and families looking on in horror. You don't expect something like this to happen in Chippenham."
Another witness said at first she thought there had been a car accident as all she heard was a loud tyre screech.
She said: "I looked out the window and saw a black car surrounded by a plain clothes officers.
"Then I saw two dog vans, a police van and what I thought was a plumber's van. I had no idea what was going on.
"I was just watching as one policeman started pointing what looked like a machine gun at the guy who was on the floor.
"It was quite terrifying but you can't help but watch."
Police confirmed they arrested two local men. One was arrested for possession of controlled substances and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
The other man was arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled substances with intent to supply, he is still being questioned by police at Melksham Police Station.
Inspector Gavin Williams of Chippenham Police praised the multi agency work behind the operation.
Armed response units from Devizes, with officers from Chippenham CID, and the Neighbourhood Policing Unit worked together.
Insp Williams said: "As a result of intelligence gathering two males were arrested on Tuesday."After receiving information from Crimestoppers we were able to locate and arrest the offenders.
8:31am Thursday 17th April 2008
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