Man arrested after police swoop on Kingsclere

Several police vehicles were called to an address in Longcroft Road at about 7.45am this morning (Tuesday)

A MAN has been arrested following an incident in Kingsclere this morning (Tuesday) that saw dozens of police, including armed officers, descend on a quiet neighbourhood in the village.

Police were called to an address in Longcroft Road at about 7.45am after receiving reports of a neighbour disturbance in which a male was threatening another man while in possession of a knife.

Ambulance services also attended the scene and treated the victim, who received a minor injury and was left shaken by the incident.

Eyewitnesses said they were shocked to see so many police in the area, including riot vans and dog handlers, describing it as “very rare” in what they considered a friendly and peaceful neighbourhood.

One local man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It certainly was quite a shock [to see so many police] and you wonder what the hell is going on.

“This is a good neighbourhood which is normally quite calm and quiet and it seems like a friendly community, so it is not something you would expect to see.”

Another local resident said the presence of so many police caused some commotion among the neighbours, who were all trying to establish what was going on from the street or inside their homes.

Hampshire Police said though that as per force policy, when there was a suggestion of a weapon being involved, armed officers were deployed to the scene.

The police added that a 47-year-old man was quickly and safely detained and arrested on suspicion of assault, before being taken into custody at Basingstoke.

Targeted patrol team inspector for Aldershot, Inspector Richard Longworth, said: “This was a contained incident within an address in the Kingsclere area which, on arrival of police, was quickly over.”