Following a bomb scare that left a section of Swindon’s town centre blocked off by police for hours during the night, a man from Southrop has been arrested.
Authorities say they were notified at approximately 9.30 p.m. on Saturday by a man claiming to have a bomb in The Parade.
Up until 2:30 am, police had the area roped off. The package was examined by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, and a man was taken into custody.
The 41-year-old Gloucestershire resident suspect is currently being held.
Social media users reported hearing loud bangs in the town center.
“I was put on lockdown because my apartment is in the town center, police everywhere, then these explosions which literally made the apartment shake,” one commenter wrote.
“There were two loud bangs in the town area. There was a post earlier about people being evacuated from pubs due to a bomb scare, and police were all outside my door,” another commenter stated.
“This evening, my partner needed to be escorted to our property! Two blows in a quarter to half an hour.”
“On August 3 at around 9.30pm we received reports from a man that he had a bomb in The Parade, Swindon,” stated Chief Superintendent Phil Staynings.
“A 100-meter perimeter was set up in the town center while the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team evaluated and processed the package and the man was taken into custody.
As a precaution, a controlled explosion was conducted, and at 2:30 in the morning, the cordon was lifted.
“A man from Southrop, Gloucestershire, aged 41, has been taken into custody on allegations of fabricating a bomb threat. They are still being held at this time.
“We appreciate the local community’s patience and help while this issue was being handled.
“Wiltshire Police acknowledge that a protest was held here earlier in the day, but they do not believe there is a connection between the two incidents.”
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