POLICE arrested a man today after reports of an incident, being described as 'threats' made on social media to a member of New College staff.

Earlier reports of a stabbing at the college have been categorically denied by the college.

Armed police were at the scene for some time this afternoon.

New College refused to comment direcetly when contacted but put the following statement on the Adver's Facebook page: "To confirm, there has been no stabbing incident at New College and we are open as normal this evening and tomorrow.

"The college is working with the police and will be releasing a statement in due course."

A police spokesman said after 6pm that the arrest followed reports of threats on social media against a member of staff.

He said a man was arrested at 'another location and was now in custody'.

At one point police would not comment other than to unofficially say that the incident was not as serious as was being rumoured.

Nobody was threatened or hurt at the college site.

Denise Curwen posted on the Adver's Facebook page: "Armed response was there and for a time no one [was allowed] in or out, had to go get my son."

New College posted on its Facebook page just before 8pm today: "False reports in the media of a stabbing at New College are categorically untrue. There is no danger to staff or students.

"We are working closely with Wiltshire Police who have given the all clear for classes this evening and tomorrow to go ahead as normal."

  • The man arrested is thought to be a former employee who lives near Malmesbury and made a series of threatening comments about a member of New College staff on Facebook today.