Armed police swoop on village and fire rubber bullets at man who was ‘aiming RIFLE at people and shouting threats’ on street near school
- Armed police have been sent to the scene in Quorn, Leicestershire today
- Locals reported a man armed with a firearm and ‘shouting threats at people’
- Rawlins Academy confirmed pupils were shut in the classrooms as a precaution
- Man arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life
Students were locked in a school this afternoon as police swooped on a village amid reports of a man armed with a rifle.
Armed police are at the scene in Quorn, Leicestershire.
Locals reported seeing a man armed with a firearm, aiming it at children and ‘shouting threats at passersby’ in the area of the Rawlins Academy.
Officers said the man was armed with a long-barrelled firearm and was reported to have ‘pointed the weapon at people in the area including children.’
The 50-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, police confirmed.
Locals have reported seeing a man armed with a firearm and ‘shouting threats at passersby’ in the area of the Rawlins Academy in Leicestershire
Staff at the academy confirmed there was an incident at the school but were unsure of what happened.
A spokesman confirmed children were shut in their classrooms for a ‘short period of time’ but have been let out now.
They said it was believed the man involved in the incident was dealt with by police.
Leicestershire Police said: ‘Officers were called at 12.04pm today to a report of a man in possession of a long-barrelled firearm in the area of Sarson Street, Quorn.
‘The man was reported to be walking around the area and was reported to have pointed the weapon at people in the area including children.
‘In the interests of public and officer safety, firearms officers were deployed to the scene. During the incident a less lethal baton round was discharged by officers against the man.
‘The man was checked on by East Midands Ambulance Service. He was reported to have suffered bruising to his arm. He is not reported to have suffered any other injuries at this time.
‘The man, aged 50 and of Quorn, has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He currently remains in police custody.’
More to follow.