Taxi driver robbed at machete-point in Gloucester as police firearm discharged during arrest
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
A taxi driver was robbed at machete-point in Gloucester on Wednesday, triggering a major police response that resulted in a firearm being discharged and a police officer injured.
The incident began at around 4.40pm when Gloucestershire Constabulary received a report that a taxi driver had been robbed by a man wielding a machete.
Shortly afterwards, further reports were made of a man seen carrying a machete on Silverstone Walk in the Kingsway area of the city. Armed police responded and located a suspect inside a block of flats on the same street.
During the arrest attempt, the man reportedly resisted officers and a struggle followed. A police firearm was discharged during the incident, and one officer sustained a leg injury. The officer was taken to hospital for treatment. The injury is not believed to be life threatening.
The man was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody. A cordon was established on Silverstone Walk to allow officers to carry out further investigations.
Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said: “My thoughts are with the officer who’s been injured and his colleague following this incident.
“I am grateful for the bravery they have shown in detaining someone suspected of carrying out a robbery and possessing a machete and who was believed to have been a real danger to the public.
“Further enquiries will take place into exactly what happened and we will provide more details when we are able to.
“I’d like to reassure the public for now though that there’s not believed to be any risk to the community.
“Officers will remain in the area today to provide reassurance and I urge anyone who has any concerns about this incident to speak to one of them.”
