A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the attempted theft of the Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral in the UK.

Wiltshire Police said shortly before 5pm on Wednesday, the alarms were activated at the cathedral after an attempt was made to smash the glass box surrounding the Magna Carta.

Staff were alerted and police called.

“A man matching the description given by witnesses was arrested 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,” a force spokeswoman said.

“The Magna Carta has not been damaged and nobody was injured in the incident.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

-AAP