A MAN has been fined after what appears to have been a prank at a Salisbury jewellers’ store sparked a security alert.

Staff at Sarum Jewellers in New Canal were left shocked and confused after a man sprayed them with a substance thought to have been pepper spray on June 18.

Staff members suffered with sore eyes and throats for several hours after the incident, the road was closed while firefighters set up a large fan in the doorway to disperse the spray and Wiltshire Police were called in.

But police have now revealed the attack appears to have been a prank and the suspected pepper spray was actually joke shop ‘fart gas’.

PC Michelle Hilton said: “Fortunately no one was injured in this incident, but what may have been intended as a prank did cause staff members distress and involved a large amount of police resources.

“We take situations such as this very seriously and would advice anyone who is considering a similar act that there will be consequences.”

A 24-year-old local man was arrested and admitted the offence. He was given a fixed £80 penalty notice and advised about the consequences of his behaviour.