A wanted man who attempted to escape police officers by jumping over a wall behind The Shires Shopping Centre in Trowbridge got more than he bargained for last Thursday.

The man, who was wanted following a report of disorder in Gloucester Road, attempted to flee the police in the early hours of the morning, after being cornered at the rear of the shopping centre.

However, the wall he jumped over ran alongside the River Biss and the suspect fell into the river, where he had to be rescued by firefighters from Trowbridge Fire Station at 12.55am.

Once he was rescued, the man was arrested on suspicion of affray, aggravated TWOC, no driving licence and no insurance. He is currently on bail, while police enquiries continue.

A post on the Trowbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team Facebook page today said: “In the early hours of Thursday morning police cornered a male at the rear of The Shires who was wanted following a disorder in Gloucester Road.

“He then made the mistake of trying to escape by hopping over a wall. Unfortunately this wall was by the side of the river and he fell 14 feet into the River Biss.

“He had to be rescued by the Fire Brigade, before being arrested on suspicion of Affray, Aggravated TWOC, No Driving licence, and No Insurance. He is currently on police bail pending further enquiries.”