Reporter confronts council over punchbag photo

An investigation has been launched after a photo of a local reporter was attached to a punchbag at a town hall.

Joe McCann from Melksham News confronted a full town council meeting on Monday after being sent a photo of the punchbag at the council building with a photo of his face stuck to it, with the words "punch me" written below.

Mr McCann told the BBC the behaviour needed calling out because no journalist should face "bullying or intimidation" for simply doing their job.

A council officer took full responsibility for the "bad joke", while the town mayor said she was "lost for words" at the behaviour.

When McCann held up a print out of the image to councillors, they were visibly shocked.

Mayor Saffi Rabey said: "This is not acceptable and you have every right to be furious.

"I didn't know this existed and I am lost for words on what to say on this," she added.

"This is not acceptable behaviour from councillors or officers of this council… That's not OK by any stretch of the imagination, I'm incredibly sorry that that has happened."

Council officer Andrew Meacham said: "It's a bad joke and I apologise unreservedly," later adding that he took full responsibility and nobody else was involved.

The mayor said she would organise a meeting with all concerned on Tuesday.

Speaking after the incident, McCann told the BBC: "It's important that it's raised - you're just doing the job holding power to account."

He pointed to recent reporting by Melksham News on failings by the town council, including the town's faulty CCTV system that failed to capture the collision that killed Cheryl Decarteret last September.

"The town council has had a torrid time, but we've just reported the facts of what's going on," he said.

He added the incident was particularly concerning for younger reporters: "We've got some who are as young as 20, just getting into the industry, who shouldn't be subjected to bullying or intimidation."

McCann added that coverage of town councils by hyperlocal titles was even more important than ever due to growing budgets at the lower tier of local government.

"This is the grassroots of politics – without local journalism nobody would know it is happening, somebody has to be there," he said.

McCann added that he had also received multiple supportive messages from councillors, asking if he was OK.

The BBC understands that an investigation led by the town council's CEO is already under way.

Melksham Town Council has been approached for comment.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.