Armed police in Oxfordshire village after 'knife' claims

Armed officers attended an incident in a wooded area in Wheatley, near Oxford, at about 3pm yesterday, after schoolchildren reported seeing a man with a knife, according to many people living in the area.

Rumours swirled on an online community group with some saying the man was threatening the children with the weapon. People claimed the man involved was homeless.

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However, the pastor of Wheatly Community Church Al McNicoll commented: "Just good to put some rumours to bed. 

"The chap was hacking at a log. It seems that some kids may have embellished the story a little bit, and the police did the appropriate thing and took it seriously.

"They've been and gone, and seem to be satisfied that nothing wrong took place.

"A number of people have posted here and elsewhere that it must be a tough time to be homeless - that's definitely true. Let's do right by him and be really careful about not letting rumours spread."

Mr McNicoll added that the man is known to professionals who are working with him on long-term options. 

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Another resident, Karl Turner, wrote: "Armed police attended as they had been called, but found no weapon, no body, nothing at all.

"They interviewed the man in question, were satisfied no offence had been committed and left. Thankfully a peaceful end."

Thames Valley Police has been approached for comment on the incident, but a spokeswoman for the force said they couldn't find any record of it in their internal log system. 

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