A “WATER pistol” sighting prompted armed police to close Manchester Road.
Specialist Tri-Force officers in marked and unmarked cars rushed to the Broadgreen area at around 4.20pm this afternoon.
They ordered one man – believed to be in his 20s – out of his Manchester Road home and told him to lie on the road outside the Tap and Barrel pub.
VIDEO - Police train guns on Manchester Road man. Footage from eyewitness. @swindonadver pic.twitter.com/NtlNrjHW9X
— Tom Seaward (@Adver_TSeaward) January 10, 2018
Eyewitnesses said that police had been called by a security guard, who believed the man was carrying a handgun.
But when police investigated, it emerged that the gun was a simple "water pistol", residents said.
One woman, 51, who filmed the scene on her mobile phone, said of the armed officers: “They backed off and got him on the floor.
“The police said to him, ‘Have you got a pistol?’ He said, “I’ve got a water pistol in the bedroom.’”
A Manchester Road shopkeeper, 40, added: “It looked like a big action.”
Another teen, buying dinner from a nearby kebab shop, said: “It was sick.”
VIDEO - Armed Police called to Manchester Road after “water pistol” sighting. Footage from eyewitness. @swindonadver pic.twitter.com/w7nx7FCSuP
— Tom Seaward (@Adver_TSeaward) January 10, 2018
Wiltshire Police confirmed that a man had been arrested, but was later released. No further action was being taken against him, a spokesman said.
Manchester Road was closed for around 40 minutes while police dealt with the incident.
Did you see armed police on Manchester Road earlier? Send your pictures and video to newsdesk@swindonadvertiser.co.uk or message us on Facebook.
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