Police have released more information about the Christmas Day disturbance in which several people were arrested and a street in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea was sealed off.
We reported on Christmas Day how armed police swooped on a flat above several shops in Abingdon Street at around 4pm after a man was reported to police as being “in an agressive state holding a samurai sword.”
Police Inspector Dave Horwood told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Tuesday (December 26th): “I can confirm we were called to a disturbance in Abingdon Street on Christmas Day afternoon. A man and a woman went into a flat after the windscreen of a car had been smashed. He was then seen at a window of the flat in an agressive state holding a samurai sword.”
“Because of the agressive nature shown, and as a precaution, two armed police units and six local officers were deployed to the scene.”
“As we surrounded the premises, the male fled from the rear of the property but was arrested, along with a woman, a short time afterwards.”
He added that at one point during the incident 10 officers were surrounding the property.
Police added that on their arrival at the property, the man was inside shouting and was throwing items out of a window. A man then got out onto a roof with a 3ft long sword.
Eyewitness Nick Whetstone told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “At one stage, the man concerned was seen on the roof of the flat.”
“Residents were either kept indoors, or refused permission to return to their homes.”
The incident lasted until around 6pm when the road was re-opened.
