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Man charged after two armed police incidents in Folkestone

12:00, 30 March 2022

updated: 14:59, 30 March 2022

A man has been charged over two separate incidents that saw armed police descend on a town.

Reece Armstrong has appeared in court charged with weapon offences in Folkestone.

Firearms officers swoop on car in Folkestone

The charges came after armed police were seen swooping on a car after a man was reportedly threatened with a weapon last Wednesday, March 23.

The dramatic scenes in Enbrook Valley came amid a large-scale search after a police dog and its handler were attacked by a man with a weapon.

Several officers were pictured approaching a car and a man was seen getting out with his hands in the air.

However, police confirmed at the time that inquiries were ongoing to find the suspect, with armed patrols being assisted by the National Police Air Service.

Five days later, on Monday, firearms teams were again deployed after reports a man had been seen with a weapon in Rendezvous Street.

Armed police arrest 'man with weapon'

Witnesses described the moment firearms officers surrounded the suspect in George Lane and pinned him down, before leading him to a marked police car.

A police spokesman confirmed that officers had arrested a man and seized a knife in relation to the incident.

Armstrong was charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place the following day, and then handed a further three charges in relation to the Enbrook Valley incident.

These included assaulting an emergency worker, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and causing fear of violence.

A suspect was led away in handcuffs following the incident on Monday
A suspect was led away in handcuffs following the incident on Monday

The 26-year-old, of no fixed address, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court this morning where he was remanded in custody.

The case will be heard at Canterbury Crown Court on a date to be confirmed.

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