CRICKLADE'S new police sergeant arrived at the village hall in Purton for a public meeting but didn't get to attend it because he had to arrest a teenager outside.

Sergeant Willie Glasgow recently joined the team in Cricklade and was on his way to the meeting with Insp Craig Hill to meet parish councillors and members of the public.

He said: "We turned up to find a 17-year-old rolling up a spliff (cannabis) behind the village hall.

"I think he was a bit surprised but it was a bit dumb to stand there when the point of the meeting inside was to discuss with members of the public problems such as this."

The teenager was arrested for possession of a controlled drug and taken to Swindon police station where he received a reprimand.

The meeting, which took place last Thursday, was a chance for villagers to voice their concerns.

Nine parish councillors and 30 members of the public attended.

Sergeant Glasgow said police would be getting tough on troublesome youngsters.

"We will be dealing with all of the nuisance offences."