 SALISBURY Cathedral was evacuated yesterday afternoon after someone "tried to smash the case of the historic Magna Carta", in what police believe was an attempted theft of the document. A 45-year-old man was arrested at the scene 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. He has been taken to Melksham police station where he is being questioned. Magna Carta 1215 is the best surviving copy of one of Britain's most influential legal documents, and is on permanent display at Salisbury Cathedral. The Magna Carta has not been damaged and nobody was injured in the incident, but the document has now been removed for safe-keeping. "We are very sorry that, for the time being, our copy of Magna Carta will not be available to visitors and will have it back on display as soon as we can." A spokesman for Salisbury Cathedral said: "We can confirm that at the end of the afternoon yesterday, a man attempted to break into the case which houses Magna Carta in the Cathedral’s Chapter House.
– A narrow escape for a precious historical document: Police in England say a 45-year-old man is in custody after allegedly using a hammer to smash holes in a protective glass case housing the best preserved of the four surviving original Magna Cartas. The Thursday incident at Salisbury Cathedral was part of a suspected effort to steal the prized charter of rights signed by King John in 1215, report the BBC and Salisbury Journal. The document kept at the cathedral was undamaged and has been removed from display temporarily. The unnamed suspect is being held on suspicion of attempted theft, criminal damage, and possession of an offensive weapon. (The four Magna Cartas were united for the first time in 2015.)