Man arrested after 'extensive' police search for Bishop's Waltham gunman

On Friday afternoon, police received reports of a man with a gun at a property in Cricklemede, Bishop’s Waltham.

A woman saw a man carrying a firearm, police say, sparking an extensive search with police dogs, helicopters and armed response vehicles joining the hunt.

Yesterday, Hampshire police officers were seen by residents looking around with torches near The Lakes in Swanmore – and officers claimed to know both the name and age of the man they were looking for.

A 26-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of burglary, and remains in police custody.

A spokeswoman from Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘We were called at 5.13pm to an address in Cricklemede, Bishop’s Waltham, after a woman reported seeing a man with a firearm.

‘An extensive search was conducted, with the assistance of armed response vehicles, dog unit, and a helicopter, however the suspect was not located.

‘Searches were ongoing throughout yesterday to locate the man, and later that evening we were called to a burglary at an address on Dodds Lane in Swanmore.

‘Enquiries identified the suspect to be the same person. A 26-year-old man from Swanmore was subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary.

‘He remains in custody at this time, and will be interviewed in relation to the firearms offences also.’

Anyone with information on this incident should call Hampshire Constabulary by calling 101.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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