Questions raised after a dozen police arrest homeless man

Questions have been raised as to why Devon and Cornwall Police dispatched around a dozen police officers to arrest a homeless man.

Pictures and a video have emerged showing the man being handcuffed and carried away.

One charity worker who witnessed the incident told The Exeter Daily the response was "completely over the top".

However another witness said the man had been aggressive and was lashing out.

A crowd of around 50 people watched as the drama unfolded close to Exeter's Cathedral Green.

Three police cars and a van were dispatched to the scene as well as a number of PCSOs.

The charity worker, who asked not to be named, said: "I don't know what the man had done but he was hardly a terrorist.

"The response seemed completely over the top to me. I understand the police have a difficult job to do and in my role I see a lot of what they have to put up with but 12 officers for one man creating a disturbance was a bit like cracking a nut with a sledgehammer."

The other witness, who also wanted to remain anonymous, told The Exeter Daily the man seemed drunk and was being aggressive.

"He had lashed out at a few people and was trying to start arguments. There did seem to be a lot of police for what it was but they dealt with the incident quickly and with little fuss.

"I can understand the criticism but if they hadn't responded quickly and someone was badly hurt, they'd have come in for a lot more grief.

"They were very professional and handled the situation well, especially as there were a number of people who looked like the man's friends antagonising them."

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence at Cathedral Green.

"Police were called after reports of an argument between a man and a woman.

"The man, who is of no fixed abode, was taken into custody."

Despite a number of requests from The Exeter Daily the spokesman did not say what had happened to the man subsequently.