GAZETTE & HERALD: A POLICEWOMAN told how she and her fellow officers were forced to use CS gas to control a man who went berserk in Chippenham town centre with a Stanley knife.

PC Lizzie Porter, 22, who has only been in the force for a year, and PC Tim Swinburn, 39, were preparing to start their 10pm shift at Chippenham Police Station last Wednesday night, when they were called a disturbance in the Market Place.

"A man was standing in the middle of the road shouting and swearing at passers-by," said PC Porter.

"It was around 9.30pm and there were a lot of people about so we went to catch him, but he shot off down the alleyway by the side of Barclays Bank.

"We chased him but then he turned around to face us and pulled out a Stanley knife and slid the blade forward.

"He was still shouting and it was pretty scary, then he ran towards Tim who thankfully dodged out of his way.

"He then ran off back up towards our police car which was parked by the post office in the Market Place."

The man ran off again towards St Mary's Street, and PCs Porter and Swinburn got in their police car to pursue him.

"We called for back-up and in St Mary's Street he stopped and was waving the knife and a wooden chair leg around," said PC Porter.

They warned him that they would use CS gas, but he still refused to co-operate and he was sprayed.

PCs Porter and Swinburn, assisted by other officers, then managed to wrestle him to the ground and he was handcuffed, before being taken into custody.

"It was a frightening experience, because I haven't been in the job very long and you don't expect that kind of incident on a sunny Wednesday evening in the centre of Chippenham," said PC Porter.

"I don't think he was sprayed full in the face, but some of the droplets of gas must have blown into my hair because it made my eyes burn when my hair brushed against my face."

PC Swinburn, who has been with Wiltshire Police for ten years, added: "The man was very threatening, but things like this are all part of the job.

"Thankfully this man was apprehended safely and all the officers were able to walk away without a scratch."

A man was due to appear before magistrates in Chippenham today charged with affray, possession of weapons and one count of criminal damage to a car.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact Chippenham police on (01249) 654455.