Man attacked with hammer in town centre

A teenager has been arrested following a late-night assault in Melksham’s town centre that left a man injured after being attacked with a hammer.

Police say the incident happened shortly before midnight on Friday 17th October, when the victim encountered two masked males dressed in black riding bicycles before being struck with a hammer.

Wiltshire Police said, “We have arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been bailed while enquiries continue. One of the suspects remains outstanding.”

A large section of the town centre was cordoned off the following day while the Crime Scene Investigation and Criminal Investigation Department carried out enquiries into the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Penny Andrews said, “This incident and the large police presence in the town will have undoubtedly caused concern for many residents.

“I would like to assure you that we believe this was an isolated incident and there was no risk to the wider public.

“Thank you to the several witnesses who have already come forward to assist us.

“Enquiries to trace the outstanding suspect are progressing and I would appeal to any witnesses to please come forward to assist our ongoing investigation.

“We are particularly interested in footage of two males, dressed in dark clothing on push bikes who have been seen to be cycling around the town centre shortly before the incident.

“Please check your dashcam footage if you were driving through Melksham in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“If you have any information that can help our investigation, please contact 101 quoting crime reference 54250138927.”