SCHOOL LOCKDOWN AFTER LITTER TOOL MISTAKEN FOR GUN

A school was locked down after a litter-picking tool was mistaken for a firearm.

The alarm was raised after a pupil saw a man entering woodland in the Mitford Road area of Morpeth, Northumberland, at about 09:00 GMT.

Pupils and staff remained indoors until officers completed a search of the surrounding area, where two men were found litter picking.

Northumbria Police said the report was made "in good faith by a pupil".

Officers said while no-one else was identified in the vicinity of the school or surrounding woodland, patrols would be increased.

The force said it received a report of concern near a school on Thursday.

"It was reported a pupil at the school had witnessed a male in possession of a possible suspected firearm entering an area of woodland nearby," a spokesperson said.

"As a precaution, staff and pupils remained indoors, although no threats were made to anyone inside the building.

"Police immediately attended and conducted a thorough search of the area where two males were spotted litter picking, one of those matching the description provided."

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2024-03-28T11:50:07Z dg43tfdfdgfd