THREE police officers today (Thurs, May 28) avoided serious injury after being assaulted by a man with a screwdriver during a medical incident in Melksham.

Officers had been tasked to assist paramedics with a concern for the welfare of a man at an address in Locking Close at around 9.30am this morning.

While they tried to restrain the man, who needed urgent medical attention, three of them were assaulted with a screwdriver.

Inspector Jeff Rice, Force Incident Manager, said: “This was an extremely volatile situation for everyone involved and could easily have seen police officers seriously injured.

“Thankfully, the body armour they were wearing protected them and kept them safe.

“This incident highlights the potentially risky situations that officers put themselves in day after day while carrying out their duties to keep people safe.”

The man, who is in his 20s, has been taken to the Royal United Hospital for medical treatment.

No arrests have been made and police are not treating it as a criminal matter.