A 27-YEAR-OLD Chippenham man picked a bad place for a nap following a night out after being found asleep in a stolen taxi.

The strange scenario happened at 4.21am on Sunday (November 20) when a taxi was stolen from outside the Rivo Lounge by two men and found shortly after at Bath Road carpark.

The man found inside the car was arrested for taking the vehicle without consent and released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police are still searching for the second man who is described as white, medium build, tall, short blond hair who was wearing a white jacket and in his 30s.

The incident was just one of several on Sunday morning that police were called into action for, with two men from Chippenham aged 22 and 37 arrested following a fight outside The Black Horse, on New Road, at 1.52am before they were issued with adult cautions and released.

While this incident was occurring a 39-year-old Chippenham man approached police and asked for a lift home, but when they refused he pushed one of the officers and was arrested for assaulting a police officer, being drunk and disorderly and being in possession of a class A drug.

He was taken to hospital and bailed pending further enquires.

A police spokesperson said: “Being intoxicated is no excuse for this type of behaviour. Please drink responsibly.”

With the Christmas period just around the corner, coordinator of the Chippenham Street Pastors has called for people to take care on nights out but has reassured people they will be there if needed.

Chippenham’s Street Pastors are trained volunteers who patrol the town’s streets between 10pm-4am on a Saturday night, engaging with people who may need assistance including providing sick bags, space blankets and making sure vulnerable people return home safely.

“We’re there to listen and help, we’re not there to judge people we just want people to have a safe and enjoyable night,” said Michael Weeks from Chippenham Street Pastors.

“The vast majority of people go out and have fun but unfortunately there’s the odd incident. Thankfully in Chippenham that’s relatively rare.

“I’m a big believer that Chippenham is a safe place to go out in.”