Wanted man found camping out in cave
AWANTED man was discovered “hiding out” in a cave after police combed woodland near Bristol in the early hours of yesterday. Officers and a sniffer dog tracked down the suspect at Leigh Woods, the popular North Somerset walking spot with stunning views of Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge.
Police arrested the man and also discovered a cassette tape in the cave – the greatest hits of English rock band The Police.
Avon and Somerset Police’s dog unit tweeted shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning – describing the man’s apparent choice of music as “very apt” – following the ‘sting’ operation.
The tweet read: “Wanted male trying to avoid prison believed to be hiding in Leigh Woods, Avon Gorge.”
It said police dog Jet had been taken on a night search and found the man hiding out in the cave.
An image shared of the cave appeared to show a duvet or sleeping bag on the ground, sheltered beneath the graffiti-covered rock face.
It is believed the cave involved was Burwalls Cave, located just below Burwalls House.
The National Trust website describes the site as: “Spacious cave with entrance 2m high by 5m wide opening directly onto large chamber 10.6m deep and up to 7m wide with further low passages leading westwards and northwards off the main chamber.”
It goes on to say: “Presence of discarded tea spoons and cigarette lighters dictated against further exploration of the side passages.”
Hundreds of people reacted to the police tweet, with many commending police dog Jet for a job well done.
One commented: “Cassettes? How long has he been hiding in that cave?”
Another wrote: “Great album.”
Police did not release further information about the man’s identity and what he was arrested on suspicion of.
Officers have not said how long they believe he was camped out in the cave.