Two men were arrested in Old Town last night on suspicion of affray just hours after the prime minister announced England would be going into lockdown for a second time.

Police were called to reports of scuffles on Wood Street at 10.30pm.

Around half a dozen police units could be seen dealing with crowds of young people leaving the area’s bars after the 10pm curfew.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said a 24-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of affray and being drunk and disorderly. Another man, 19, was arrested on suspicion of affray.

The arrests came around three hours after a Downing Street press conference during which government scientists warned of the potential for hundreds of deaths a day if more action wasn’t taken.

Boris Johnson announced that England would be placed in lockdown from midnight on Thursday, November 5, until December 2. Bars, pubs and restaurants will be closed, although they may provide a takeaway service.