COMMUTERS were left stunned as armed police smashed into a black Opel Corsa.

Specialist officers from Tri-Force stopped the driver of the car at around 6.10pm in Old Town, apparently smashing a front window in an arrest bid.

However, according to one eyewitness, the man fled from officers – before being tackled to the floor behind the Lorcano.

Another man, 30, who watched the scene unfold from the corner of the High Street and Newport Street, told the Adver: “A white unmarked BMW police car came bombing down Newport Street and blocked the Corsa. They [the police] smashed the window. I figured they all went running after the guy.”

Within minutes, another marked police 4x4 arrived on the scene, together with two patrol cars and a Tri-Force traffic officer – who snapped pictures of the damaged Corsa on the High Street.

Other officers from Wiltshire Police began directing traffic past the scene, with tailbacks stretching back towards Pipers Way.

The Corsa’s female passenger was taken away by police while a man, believed to be the car’s driver, was bundled into a police van in handcuffs.

Officers at the scene said the man had been arrested.

By 6.45pm the Corsa had been taken away and traffic was moving freely again.

Most residents along the High Street were surprised to hear of the dramatic police stop, with some not even hearing the sirens.