A PCSO stabbed with a pair of scissors during an incident in a Taunton village has spoken of his ordeal - and released video of the altercation.

Sam Bushen was on patrol in School Road, Monkton Heathfield, on Friday, September 6, when he approached Sam Reynolds, who was wanted by the police in connection with a number of burglaries and thefts.

"By chance, I found Reynolds walking towards the shop," PCSO Bushen said.

"I quickly stopped the vehicle and approached Reynolds and asked him to stop, whereby he tried to swing a punch towards me.

"I caught his arm and restrained him to the floor to defend myself and that is when my body-worn video camera was activated.

"From that point Reynolds apologised and asked if he could have a cigarette.

"I wanted to keep him calm until my colleagues arrived so I allowed him to have one as I usually had a good rapport with him."

Somerset County Gazette:
INJURED: PCSO Sam Bushen

It was the he produced the scissors, PCSO Bushen said.

"While placing his lighter back into his bag, he then pulled out the scissors which at the time, I had no idea what it was nor how big it was, just that it was a sharp and shiny metal object," he said.

"I then re-restrained Reynolds to the floor and tried to get him to drop the item, which he wouldn’t.

"With blood trickling down my arm and not sure where it was coming from, I decided to focus on restraining his hands in order to keep the item away from my body.

"A few minutes later officers arrived and Reynolds was arrested and taken into custody."

The PCSO was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital and says his injuries are 'healing well'.

Now, he is seeking to reassure residents concerned about such a crime happening in their towns and villages.

READ MORE: Sam Reynolds jailed for stabbing Taunton PCSO Sam Bushen

"I feel this is a one-off, isolated incident and want to reassure residents – particularly in Monkton Heathfield - that they should not be concerned about where they live," he added.

"Of course, if you have any specific concerns or issues you think I can help with in my role as a PCSO, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

"Lastly I would like to thank everyone for their messages and well wishes. It really was most appreciated."

Reynolds, 35, of no fixed address, was jailed for five years for the incident when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court last week.

Somerset County Gazette:
JAILED: Sam Reynolds has been jailed for the attack