Man bailed following Thatcham weapon incident yesterday (Thursday)

After reports came flooding in to Newburytoday.co.uk earlier today, Thames Valley Police said early this evening that a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and possession of an offensive weapon.
Whitelands Park Primary School was closed and pupils locked in for their own safety on police advice and various roads in Thatcham were also closed by police.
Chairman of governors at the school, in Sagecroft Road, John Tyzack, said that on advice from the police the school effectively went into “lock down” which meant no-one could enter or leave the school.
He said this lasted for about one hour and 20 minutes.
He added that parents were informed by a text message from the school not to collect their children and said: “As far as I’m aware there were no adverse queries from parents or the children.
“It was all properly managed.
“I think everyone was grateful that the school had been told there was a problem.”
He added that the school also informed others who needed to know, such as teachers and the local authority, and said it was important to safeguard the children.
Newburytoday.co.uk started receiving reports from about 2pm today of sightings of police cars, riot vans, and police helicopters around Newbury and Thatcham, although at that time the police were unable to explain what was happening.
We also received reports of school and road closures.
One eyewitness said at 4.30pm that the police helicopter had been circling over the Seigecross Estate in Thatcham for 30 minutes.
Earlier in the day, a police riot van, many police cars and a police helicopter was seen in Speen near the Old Bath Road, but Police say the incidents are unrelated.
Police spokeswoman, Alice Adderley, said at about 4.45pm: “Thames Valley Police can confirm that they were called to an incident in Thatcham town centre shortly after 3pm.
“A man was reported to have threatened a motorist with a bladed weapon.
“A man has been arrested and is in police custody.”
Spokeswoman Rebecca Webber later confirmed the man's age but has not released his name.