THE DEPUTY Mayor of Andover has been arrested on suspicion of threatening to kill someone.

Cllr Lauren Banville was arrested after travelling to an address in Portsmouth today, and allegedly used violence to attempt to enter a property in Gladys Avenue.

A witness told The Advertiser that they saw the 38-year-old attempting to break into the window of the property this morning.

Another woman, aged 61 and also from Andover, was also arrested.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary told The Advertiser: “We were called at 11.36am today (20 January) to an address on Gladys Avenue, Portsmouth, after reports of a disturbance at an address.

“A 61-year-old woman and a 38-year-old woman, both from Andover, were arrested on suspicion of violence to secure entry and threats to kill.

“They remain in custody at this time.”

Cllr Banville, who won election to Andover Town Council in 2019 as part of the Andover Alliance, stood down from the party after a high-profile split from mayor Richard Rowles.

She now stands as an independent and represents the Harroway ward.

The Advertiser reported last year how Cllr Banville’s application to join the Conservative party was rejected, due to her “views and past history”.

Cllr Banville had previously been a member of the Labour party, serving as vice chair of Andover and North West Hampshire Labour.

However she was removed from the position in June 2018 after defending EDL co-founder Tommy Robinson on social media following his arrest a month prior for contempt of court.

Cllr Banville has been contacted for comment.