Ref. 30016-28TRAINEE police officer Louise Thorne is tipped to pass her probation with flying colours after helping disarm a man who was wielding a chainsaw.

Louise, who is now entering only her third week of training, was shadowing colleague Nigel Kinderman at about 2am on Friday when the pair received a call to say a man had been seen brandishing the weapon in Swindon town centre.

When the officers arrived at the scene, close to Edwards Bar in Fleet Street, they saw the man allegedly threatening revellers.

While experienced Acting Sergeant Kinderman attempted to calm the man down, Louise, 20, coolly pushed the crowd back.

"I certainly didn't expect this in my second week of training," she said.

"When we turned the corner and saw him standing there waving the chainsaw I was shocked and it was pretty scary I'll admit.

"But we both had a job to do and we needed to protect the safety of the public."

Louise revealed the incident has only made her even more determined to prove herself as a police officer.

She said: "It's all experience and hopefully when I complete my training and begin to patrol on my own I will be able to react in the same way as Nigel."

Acting Sgt Kinderman said: "In only her second week of training she was extremely brave and stayed calm.

"I didn't have time to properly guide her through the actions but she didn't need it. We both needed to act fast."

After the officer threatened to use CS gas, the man turned the chainsaw off and placed it on the ground.

He was then promptly arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and affray.

A 23-year-old man from the Oxford area is due to appear before town magistrates in connection with the incident.

Kevin Shoesmith