Man arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon

There was a visible police presence in Stroud this morning, Monday June 24, as officers responded to an incident.

Police were called to London Road to reports of a man attempting to force entry into a property shortly before 6am and then fled. He would have been in possession of a weapon.

Eyewitnesses recounted Stroud timetable they had seen armed police and a police drone near Stroud Hospital, as well as a police dog van parked near Waitrose on London Road.

Officers attended the scene, including with the help of a police dog, but the suspect was not located.

Shortly before 8:30 a.m., police were called to reports that a man had been seen in a garden and it may be the same man from the previous incident.

Armed police officers intervened and searches took place to find the suspect, who was running in residents' gardens.

A 37-year-old man was then arrested at around 9.35am on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in connection with the incident. He remains in custody for questioning.

A long bow and several arrows were also found at an address.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw what happened or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage who could help.

The man is believed to have been in the areas of Castle Rise, London Road, Castle Street, Lower Street and Spring Lane.

Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 69 of June 24: