UPDATED: ARREST IN RYDE AS MALE WEARING BALACLAVA AND ARMED WITH BASEBALL BAT SIGHTED

A balaclava-clad man allegedly seen roaming Ryde Town Centre with a baseball bat has been arrested and taken into custody for questioning following an incident last night (Sunday). Police were called just after 21:00 to reports of a male carrying a baseball bat in the Church Road area of Ryde, near to Union Street and St Thomas’ Street. Officers carried out a local area search and located a suspect. A male matching the description given to Police – and riding a pushbike – was detained nearby on the corner of Lind Street and West Street. Once cuffed, officers looked in nearby hedgerows and bins in a bid to locate the baseball bat. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that a 27-year-old man from Ryde was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He is currently in police custody. UPDATE – The male has been released from custody under investigation.