ARMED police responded to a concern for welfare incident following reports of an individual in possession of a weapon in Chard.
Shortly before 1.20pm on Monday (January 12), Avon and Somerset Police were made aware by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust of a welfare incident.
Police confirmed the initial report suggested an individual might be in possession of a weapon and therefore armed officers were initially deployed as a precaution.
The man was found at an address in the Kents Road area, and armed police officers were stood down when no weapon was found on the person or within the property.
The individual has since been taken into the care of the ambulance service and was conveyed to Musgrove Park Hospital.
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 13:13hrs on Monday 12 January to an incident in Chard. We sent one double-crewed land ambulance, an operations officer, and the hazardous area response team to the scene.
"We conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Musgrove Park Hospital.”
While the incident was ongoing the police closed the road at Chard Junction going from Street Way.
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A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Shortly before 1.20pm we were made aware by the ambulance service of a concern for welfare incident in Chard.
"The initial unconfirmed report suggested an individual might be in possession of a weapon and therefore armed officers were initially deployed as a precaution.
"The man was located at an address in the Kents Road area. Armed officers were stood down when no weapon was found on the person or within the property.
"The individual has been taken into the care of the ambulance service.
“While thankfully there is not considered to be any risk, public safety is always our main priority and we're grateful to the person who raised their concerns initially."
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