2 July 2012 Last updated at 16:41 ET

Man shot in Devizes solicitors

Supt Gavin Williams, from Wiltshire Police, says the victim sustained life-threatening injuries

A man has been airlifted to hospital after being shot in a solicitor's office in Wiltshire.

Police officers were called to Morris Goddard & Ward Solicitors in St John's Street, in Devizes, at 14:55 BST.

A 62-year-old man was arrested about 40 minutes later in nearby Rowde and is now in custody at Melksham Police Station.

Great Western Air Ambulance confirmed the shot man was being treated for head injuries.

'Thoughts and prayers'

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "The offender drove off in a car but was arrested at approximately 15:35 BST without a struggle by armed officers in Rowde.

"We recovered a weapon which we believe was used in the incident.

"The victim has sustained what are believed to be life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital for treatment."

A spokesman for the Great Western Ambulance Service said the injured man was treated at the scene and then accompanied to hospital by a critical care paramedic and critical care doctor.

Roads around the Market Place in the town were cordoned off by police

Wiltshire Police appealed to the community for their continued co-operation.

Supt Gavin Williams said: This is understandably going to shock the community, such a rare crime as this in Wiltshire.

"Our major incident team are working on this. And we would again ask anybody with any further information to come forward to us as soon as they can."

Police cordons around the Market Place in Devizes are gradually being lifted but, while officers are present, Long Street through to Northgate Street remains too narrow for HGVs.

The Conservative MP for the town, Claire Perry, wrote on Twitter: "All thoughts and prayers with the victim of the tragic shooting today in Devizes, and his family.

"What an awful, shocking thing to happen."