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Armed police involved – and four arrested – after altercation in Yeovil street

FOUR men were arrested and armed police involved after an incident in Yeovil this morning.

At around 7.50am on Monday (August 7), police were called to reports of a ‘physical altercation’ involving several people in Eastland Road.

Two men were found at the scene and restrained by officers using PAVA spray, before being arrested.

Two others left the scene on foot and entered a property in the same road, refusing to engage with officers or allow entry to the property.

Engagement work continued through the use of a negotiator and one of the men voluntarily chose to leave the property and was arrested shortly before 10.10am.

However, a fourth man continued to refuse entry and was believed to be in a possession of a bladed article.

“Due to further threats being made to officers, a decision was made for armed officers to force entry to the address,” an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said.

“Distraction devices were used and a taser discharged to ensure the man could be safely arrested.”

The man was checked by paramedics at the scene but did not require further medical treatment before being taken into police custody, they added.

The other three arrested men received medical treatment in hospital for injuries sustained during the altercation, but two have since been discharged and also taken into custody.

Temporary Inspector Rachel Clark said: “We wish to reassure the local community who will have seen the large police presence in the Eastland Road area earlier today that we have arrested four men.

“We understand there may be some concern locally by these events, which is why we will be conducting extra high-visibility patrols so if you are worried then please speak to us. We are though not aware of there being any ongoing risk to the public.

“The property involved is managed by a housing association and we have updated it about what has happened.

“We met with two of its housing officers today to discuss action that can be taken both in the short-term and long-term to prevent any similar incidents from occurring in future.”

Witnesses who have not yet spoken to police should call 101 and quote reference number 5223189652.

I am the editor in chief of Blackmore Vale media, which includes the New Blackmore Vale, New Stour & Avon, Salisbury & Avon Gazette and the Purbeck Gazette, having been a reporter for some 20 years. In my spare time, I am a festival lover, with a particular focus on Glastonbury. I live in Somerset with my wife and two children.