Armed police were called to a quiet street in Chippenham on Sunday after a teenage boy was seen walking around with a loaded air rifle.

Police officers swooped on the 17-year-old who was walking along Hill Corner Road shortly after 11pm holding the air riffle in his hand.

He was swiftly arrested and charged with possessing an imitation fire arm and having a loaded air weapon in a public place.

Acting sergeant Mat Jacobs of the Chippenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This is an offence that the police take very seriously as from a distance you would not be able to tell if the gun was real or not.

“Anyone caught with a fire arm of any description will be punished to the full extent of the law.

“Police are here to make sure members of the public feel safe at all times and when they see people walking around with what could be a real weapon it causes a great deal of panic.

“I would like to thank the people who notified the police of this offence and goes to show that community intelligence is key to policing in Chippenham.”

The teenager will appear in North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court later this month.

The weapon was seized and destroyed by Chippenham Police.

Anyone with information is urged to call Chippenham Police on 0845 408 7000, or anonymously, on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.