Firearm suspect was boy with a toy gun, say Sussex Police

Firearm suspect was boy with a toy gun, say Sussex Police

Schools in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, were put on lockdown following reports of a suspected gunman on the loose, only to discover it was a 14-year-old boy in fancy dress with a toy gun. The police responded to the situation, with multiple units, including armed officers, attending Frith Road.

Concerned about the safety of the community, Sussex Police advised nearby schools to implement a temporary lockdown while they conducted a thorough search of the area. Chief Inspector Dave Groombridge reassured the public that the person in question was indeed a local teenager in costume, emphasizing that he was not in possession of any dangerous weapons.

Following a visit to the boy and his family, Sussex Police confirmed that the toy gun was the only item in his possession during the incident. Chief Inspector Groombridge acknowledged that although the situation caused concern, he believed that those who reported it acted with good intentions. He concluded by stating that there was no ongoing threat to the wider community, allowing the schools to resume their operations as usual.

Despite the initial alarm and precautionary measures taken by the authorities, the incident was swiftly resolved without any harm. The swift response from the police, along with the cooperation of the community, helped to ensure that the situation was swiftly addressed and clarified. This serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining open communication between law enforcement and the public to prevent any unnecessary panic or escalation in similar situations

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More