Arrests after range staff catapulted on Salisbury Plain
Four men detained after ball bearings fired at safety workers
Four men have been arrested after reports of catapults being used to shoot ball bearings at range safety staff on Salisbury Plain.
The incident happened on Wednesday (14 Dec 2022) when the occupants of a Nissan Pathfinder, along with one other, were spotted within the live-firing impact area, causing the training to be stopped.
Police caught up with one of the two vehicles on the A303 near Stonehenge, and four men from the Hampshire area, who were uncompliant with officers, were arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of offensive weapons, daytime poaching and criminal damage.
Officers from Amesbury Neighbourhood and Response Team 4, Rural Crime Team, Roads Policing Unit, Fortitude, and Ministry of Defence Police were in assistance.
The arrests caused traffic delays on the A303 whilst officers dealt with the four individuals as safely and promptly as possible. Their vehicle was seized and the men have since been released under investigation.