An auditor was arrested at the Devizes Jobcentre after a security guard claimed she had been assaulted—despite video evidence suggesting otherwise.
The incident took place shortly before 4pm on 13 March at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) site on Maryport Street in Devizes, when police were called to reports of a disturbance inside the building.
The auditor, who was filming in a publicly accessible area as part of a rights-based auditing activity, was confronted by a female security guard employed by G4S, who asked him to stop recording and leave the premises. The interaction was captured in a 30-minute video posted online by Absolute Audits.
Tense Exchange Caught on Camera
In the video, the uniformed security guard, wearing a body-worn camera, repeatedly tells the auditor to stop filming and leave. When he refuses, she appears to physically bump into him with her chest before declaring: “Now you’ve touched me… it’s all on camera, off you go.”
Police officers who arrived at the scene spoke to both parties. The auditor reportedly offered to show officers his footage in real-time, claiming it would disprove the assault allegation. However, officers declined to review the video and arrested him on suspicion of common assault, after he also refused to provide his personal details.
Detention Refused by Custody Sergeant
After being taken into custody, the desk sergeant at the police station declined to authorise his detention. The auditor was then returned to the location of his arrest by the same officers.
A few days later, he collected his micro SD card from Devizes Police Station, where a senior officer is believed to have reviewed the footage and determined that no assault took place.
Police: No Further Action
In a statement, Wiltshire Police confirmed that no further action would be taken against the man, who is in his 20s.
“Due to a lack of evidence, no further action will be taken. If further evidence comes to light, we will re-open our investigation,” a spokesperson said.
G4S Declines to Comment on Security Guard’s Conduct
UKNIP contacted G4S for comment regarding the behaviour of the security guard in the video. A spokesperson declined to address the incident 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 debate online about civil rights, the role of private security staff, and the conduct of police during public filming audits.
The auditor has not indicated whether he plans to pursue legal action or lodge a formal complaint.
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