A CALNE man was arrested yesterday after he was spotted brandishing a wooden samurai training sword in the town centre.

Officers from Community Police Teams 2 and 3 were dispatched to William Street at around 3pm on Monday (February 27) where the man was seen brandishing the weapon but were quickly advised that the man had left and was heading in the direction of Bryans Close Road.

Once located, officers ordered him to drop the weapon and arrested the 33-year-old of being in possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and using threatening language or behaviour with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.

PCSO Mark Cook of the Calne Community Policing Team said: “I would like to thank the witnesses who reported this incident to the police, without which, the outcome may have been very different.

"The detailed description given by witnesses and the man's direction of travel taken meant officers were able to quickly locate and arrest him and ensure nobody came to any harm.

"Fortunately, incidents like this are very rare in Calne and we take any reports of this nature very seriously."

The man, who was taken to Melksham custody, has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.