THE teenager arrested after an armed police swoop in is thought to have had a BB gun.

An 18-year-old man was arrested following an incident involving a fake handgun at The Shires shopping centre in Trowbridge. 

Police said firearms and local community policing officers were called to The Shires at approximately 2.45pm today following reports that a male had been seen with a handgun. 

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Shortly afterwards a local man was located and arrested in the shopping centre. A plastic BB gun was found in a nearby multi-storey car park.  The man is currently in custody.

Sgt Dave Hambly said:  "The public may have seen lots of police officers around the town today responding to this incident. 
"I want to reassure people that this was dealt with quickly and we have arrested a local man. 
"As this took place in the middle of the afternoon, in a busy part of Trowbridge, I would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen a man acting suspiciously in and around The Shires. 


"If you spotted anything suspicious - please contact us on 101 quoting crime reference number 54200015234.  You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."