MAN CHARGED: Our thoughts are with family, friends and loved ones

Below the noise of helicopters above Salisbury on Tuesday night there was the noise of rumour and speculation.

Salisbury Radio was at Spire View Tuesday evening until Police ‘deemed the area safe’. We were further contacted by many people who both offered and requested information in equal measures.

Truly, we are grateful to the people of Salisbury who helped us piece together the events of the incidents at Spire View, Bishopdown Road and Firsdown. We are also grateful to the Police who offered assistance, within the confines of the law so as not to impede what was an ongoing manhunt and investigation.

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” one resident told Salisbury Radio as ‘information’ was ventured across Social Media platforms.

Yesterday, we shared that a man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Today, we learn officially the name of that man. He has been charged with attempted murder and other offences.

He is due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates Court this morning.

A Police investigation is a complicated matter.  The humblest of rumblings or speculation can impede such work and even destroy an otherwise straightforward investigation, or indeed any future court trial.

As events unfolded, there were suggestions of “a shooter”, “a bomb” and even names began being proffered, as limited information and speculation turned rife.

Even photos - which we consider wholly inappropriate - were circulated.  

Salisbury Radio also heard that a gun was involved; “a man shot a cat” and “a man shot a pigeon” all this was part of the escalating rumour mill.

In fact, on Tuesday night, Salisbury Radio was contacted by multiple sources encouraging us to ‘name’ the person being sought. The sources may have been correct, but like all good media outlets, we refused to publish this information; not only to ensure we don’t impede any investigation or breach any regulations, but simply out of respect.

We must accept that there is invariably a backstory, a pretext and always... there’s more information required to put piece the jigsaw together so you get ‘the full picture’.

Armed Police and even Bomb Disposal experts were indeed called upon on Tuesday. But, as Salisbury Radio’s team navigated through the noise of speculation, it reminds us that in this and other distressing situations, there are very real people involved.

Not just one victim, but many victims; family members, friends and loved ones.

Today - and through any future developments - our thoughts are with all those involved in Tuesday’s heart-breaking and deeply saddening incident.