UK school on lockdown as armed police scramble - headteacher tells public to stay away
A DERBYSHIRE school was placed on lockdown while armed police dealt with reports of a gunman.
Derbyshire: Police close road after incident in Long Eaton
Wilsthorpe School in Long Eaton said students were being kept inside until police gave the “all clear”. A man was later arrested by police on suspicion of possessing a firearm. Wilsthorpe School said on Twitter: “There is an ongoing police incident in Long Eaton.
"Students will be kept inside the school building behind the secure line until we receive the all clear.
"Please do not visit the school. Updates to follow.”
One parent said armed police had aimed their weapons at a suspect.
She told the Derby Telegraph: “I’ve just seen armed police holding a gun at someone or a car. It scared me and my daughter.
“I’ve asked police if we are safe and they told me as long as we keep away from the cordon.”
A huge police presence, including a number of drones, are at the scene.
Another parent said: “There’s police everywhere. It must be something serious.”
Briar Gate, a major road in the town, was sealed off.
Wilsthorpe Junior School has also been locked down, with an official saying the children are all safe and accounted for.
Police said: “We are attending an incident on Briar Gate in #LongEaton.
"Please avoid the area as there are traffic delays. We will provide further details when we have them.
“Armed officers are currently at an address on Briar Gate in Long Eaton. We are speaking to an occupant at the address and there is currently a cordon in place."
Police later said a man had been arrested.
They said on Twitter: "Officers were called to a property on Briar Gate in Long Eaton at 7.45am this morning to reports of a man with a firearm.
"Armed officers were deployed to the scene along with negotiators.
"A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and is in police custody.
"There have been rumours in the area that gun shots were fired, we can confirm that no shots were fired by officers or by the man under arrest."