Locksmith is mistaken for burglar

A locksmith is considering suing Gloucestershire police for wrongful arrest after he was held in a cell after being mistaken for a burglar.

Lee Hicks, 33, said police burst into his home to arrest him after his fingerprints were found at the scene of a burglary committed seven months ago.

Mr Hicks, of Tewkesbury, said when he was put in the cell he was "treated with contempt like a real criminal".

Police said they were right to arrest him and would not be apologising.

It was 6am and they burst into my home Lee Hicks

Kate Nelmes, from Gloucestershire Constabulary, confirmed Mr Hicks had been later released without charge.

Mr Hicks said his wife and children stood by and watched as officers searched wardrobes for evidence before taking him to Cheltenham Police Station for questioning.

He was then held in the cells for three hours.

The father-of-two said the whole incident related to locks he had changed at a petrol station in Newent on 4 June last year.

"I was livid. The arresting officer knew I was a locksmith and they proceeded anyway.

"It was 6am and they burst into my home. My wife and two daughters were very upset.

"It was very traumatic and left my family extremely shaken."

Mr Hicks is now considering suing for wrongful arrest.

"I've taken advice from a solicitor and I'm getting paperwork together for a wrongful arrest claim," he added.