An auditor was arrested at the Devizes Jobcentre after a security guard accused him of assault, but video evidence revealed a different story.
The incident occurred just before 4pm on March 13 at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office on Maryport Street, Devizes. Police were called following reports of a disturbance inside the building.
The auditor was filming in a public area as part of a rights-based audit when a female G4S security guard confronted him. She demanded that he stop recording and leave the premises.
Footage posted online by Absolute Audits shows the guard, who was wearing a body-worn camera, repeatedly ordering the auditor to turn off his camera. When he refused, she lunged and bumped him with her chest, then said: “Now you’ve touched me… it’s all on camera, off you go.”
Police officers arrived and spoke to both parties. The auditor offered to show his video evidence live to disprove the assault claim, but the police declined to view the footage and arrested him on suspicion of common assault after he refused to provide identification.
However, back at the police station, the desk sergeant refused to authorise his detention. The auditor was promptly returned to the Jobcentre by the same officers.
A few days later, the auditor collected his micro SD card from Devizes Police Station. A senior officer reviewed the video evidence and concluded that no assault had taken place.
Wiltshire Police confirmed: “Due to a lack of evidence, no further action will be taken. If further evidence comes to light, we will re-open our investigation.”
UKNIP contacted G4S for comment regarding the security guard’s conduct. A spokesperson declined to address the video directly, stating: “We manage staffing matters in line with good employment practice; it would be inappropriate for us to discuss individual issues.”
The incident has sparked a heated debate online about civil rights, the role of private security, and police conduct during public filming audits. The auditor has not yet indicated whether he will pursue legal action or file a formal complaint.
Originally published by UKNIP.
