Man arrested on suspicion of trying to steal the Magna Carta

Credit: ITV News

Wiltshire police have arrested a man they suspect of trying to steal the Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral.

Officers say alarms were activated at the Cathedral after an attempt was made to smash the glass box surrounding the historic document.

Salisbury Cathedral holds one of the four surviving copies of the document. Credit: ITV News

Police say a 45-year-old man matching the description given by witnesses was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

He has been taken to Melksham custody for questioning.

The Magna Carta has not been damaged and nobody was injured in the incident.

The Magna Carta gives people the right to justice and a fair trial. Credit: ITV News

The document is one of four original copies still in existence.

It comes from an agreement made by King John and his barons more than 800 years ago.

Although its initial use dealt more with medieval rights and customs, the Magna Carta also gives free men the right to justice and a fair trial.