Police officers injured as man wielding ‘axe’ arrested at Asda

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Two officers were injured and a police car was damaged as a man wielding an "axe" was arrested at an Asda store in Fife, Scotland.

Police raced to the incident at the supermarket on the Queensgate industrial estate in Glenrothes around 8.15am this morning.

A dispute was said to have broken out between two customers.

One man then left the store and returned with the weapon before police arrived.

Eyewitnesses say a man "turned up with an axe" after being asked to leave by staff, according to the Herald Scotland.

Two police officers sustained minor injuries and a police car was damaged.

A 40-year-old man was arrested.

No members of the public were injured during the incident.

The Asda staff were praised on Twitter for their "amazing reactions".

One said: "Staff did brilliantly in Asda this morning to prevent something much worse from happening, hope they are recognised for what they did."

Another said: "Amazing reactions by staff at @asda Glenrothes this morning, put themselves at risk to prevent a situation that could have been much much worse than a few displays damaged, hope they’re rewarded accordingly by the company."

An Asda spokesman praised the store manager for closing the door as the man left, moving people towards the storeroom while waiting for the police.

He said: “We have been made aware of an incident that took place at the Glenrothes store earlier today and would like to praise all of our colleagues at the store who acted quickly and effectively until authorities arrived.

“The store is now reopen and we are helping the police with their inquiries.”

The man has been charged and is due to appear at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Inspector Kirk Donnelly said: “We can confirm a 40-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a disturbance at an Asda supermarket, Queensgate industrial estate, around 8.15am on Wednesday July 1.

“The man was found to be in possession of an offensive weapon, but I would like reassure the public that there is no threat to the wider community.

“A police car was damaged while the suspect was apprehended and officers received minor injuries.

“No members of the public were injured and I would like to thank them for their assistance with this incident.

“The 40-year-old man is due to appear at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday.”

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