A man arrested over the weekend on suspicion of making threats to kill other people has been charged with telecoms offences.
The 35-year-old is due to appear before the Magistrate’s Court today.
He has been held in custody since being arrested in the early hours of Sunday.
The situation around the man’s arrest is not yet clear – but Guernsey Police Chief Officer Damian Kitchen accused the public of being “borderline hysterical” on Saturday night as the online Guernsey grapevine spread “wholly inaccurate” misinformation around the police investigation and what had led to it.
He dismissed claims made online that the situation was linked with “immigration issues and race”.
Chief Officer Kitchen said the man was arrested in a private address, his officers were not looking for any further suspects, and there was no evidence of any risk to the public.
“Officers made a number of enquiries in order to make this arrest quickly, and ensure that the incident did not escalate,” he explained.
“We would again like to thank those members of the public who provided information assisting with the investigation.
“However, while enquiries were ongoing, a huge amount of speculation took place on social media, some of which amounted to nothing more than misinformation. I have been made aware, for example, of comments trying to link this incident and arrest to immigration issues and race. These comments are wholly inaccurate, borderline hysterical, and quite frankly unacceptable.
“I can give the community my guarantee that if there was ever an immediate risk to the public, we would be fast, clear and direct in putting out a warning to ensure people could be safe. In this instance that was not necessary. The situation was carefully assessed and information that is not avaliable to the public was considered, and there was no need for that type of warning to be issued. It would have both caused unnecessary alarm and made the suspect aware we were looking for them.
“We continue to work hard day in and day out to keep the community safe.”
