Halstead: Police make arrest after bin man shot in face by air gun (From Gazette)

Halstead: Police make arrest after bin man shot in face by air gun

1:00pm Wednesday 25th July 2012 in News

Police arrested a 29-year-old man after a bin driver is believed to have been shot in the head with an airgun this morning.

Armed police had launched a man hunt and later surrounded a property in Blenheim Close, Braintree, after an incident which took place in Halstead this morning.

But the suspect was not in the property, and he was arrested by officers in Chapel Hill, Braintree, at 11.45am.

Officers recovered an air gun from a home in Blenheim Close.

The man, who is from the Braintree area, remains in custody arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, as well as drug offences.

Officers were called to White Horse Avenue, Halstead, at about 8am.

A Braintree Council spokesman confirmed a member of their staff had been injured in White Horse Avenue.

She said: "He is a 26-year-old employee. He was taken to Broomfield Hospital by ambulance following the incident.

"He has now been released and he is on his way to Chelmsford Police Station to give a statement.

"His wounds are superficial. He sustained a head injury, which was superficial."

The man was collecting recycling bags with a colleague at the time of the incident.

His colleague was not injured, said the council spokesman.

Both men were believed to have been in their vehicle at the time.

The council is organising support for both members of staff.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called following reports of a man being assaulted.

"We believe the man responsible may have been armed with an airgun.

"The victim received injuries to his face which are not believed to be serious. 

"Armed officers are currently searching for the man believed to be responsible.

"White Horse Avenue remains closed."

Police also confirmed another man, a pedal cyclist, was injured as the driver left White Horse Avenue, at the junction with Tidings Hill.

An ambulance spokesman said: "A man in his 20s sustained non serious injuries  and was taken to Broomfield Hospital by land. Air attended but not needed.

Eye-witness Stephen Mann, of White Horse Avenue, said: "We are stuck in the house at the moment because of the police cordon.

"The guy was taken away in the ambulance and the armed police were here so quickly."

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