Masked man with ‘sword’ triggers helicopter response over east Bristol

A ‘masked’ man was reportedly seen with a sword in a housing estate in east Bristol in the early hours of this morning. Police received the anonymous call just after 1am.

Firearms officers were dispatched to the area of Caldicot Close in Willsbridge alongside a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter.

However, after further calls and an investigation on the ground, no-one was found.

In a statement issued to Bristol World, Avon and Somerset Police said: “Police had an anonymous call just after 1am on New Year’s Day reporting a masked man seen in the area of Caldicot Close, Willsbridge, with what was described as a sword.

“Officers attended within 10 minutes and searched the area, supported by armed officers and the National Police Air Service helicopter.

“There was no trace of any such individual, no further calls and no one officers spoke to on the ground had seen anything untoward.”