Man arrested following attempted theft of Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral

A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to steal a Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral.

Alarms sounded at the cathedral yesterday afternoon after an attempt was made to smash the glass box housing the historic document.

Wiltshire Police said in a statement: “A 45-year-old man is in custody this morning arrested on suspicion of the attempted theft of the Magna Carta.

“Shortly before 5pm yesterday alarms were activated at Salisbury Cathedral after an attempt was made to smash the glass box surrounding the Magna Carta. Staff were alerted and police were called.

“A man matching the description given by witnesses was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage, and has been taken to Melksham custody for questioning where he remains.

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

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Dating from 1215, this is one of just four copies of the Magna Carta to have survived.

Meaning ‘great charter’ in Latin, it is one of England’s most celebrated historic documents.

At the time of its creation it was seen as the solution to Medieval England’s political crisis as it firmly established the principle that everyone – even the monarch – is subject to the law.

Any witnesses who have not already spoken to police are being urged to get touch via 101 quoting crime reference number 541800101438.