‘Gunman’ locks down UK seaside town school as children flee | UK | News
After a suspected gunman wandering around a school in a seaside town in England saw that the school had been put on lockdown, children frantically tried to escape by jumping over fences. “Hysterical” students who were locked inside and unable to call their parents were said to be “sobbing”.
Just after 11am this morning, a man was reported suspected of being armed with a gun on Frith Road in Bognor Regis. Police attended the scene and advised nearby schools to implement temporary lockdown procedures while searches continued. While the manhunt continued, police cars and dogs were seen searching the area.
The main school affected is Regis School, a secondary and sixth form in West Sussex with close to 1,600 pupils.
While desperate parents rushed to the scene after being warned to take their children in the middle of the massacre, children from nearby schools were trapped in the Arena Sports Center for 2-3 hours. The leisure center is located next to the Regis School.
Children reportedly began “climbing over fences to get out,” according to the report Sun.
One parent said: “The whole school went into complete lockdown.
“I went down to pick up my children, they were hysterical. I have never witnessed anything like this.
“Children try to call their parents and are scolded for using their phones. This situation is very poorly handled.”
All schools have now reopened, but armed police remain in the area.
A spokesman for the force said: “At around 11.10am today (October 22), police received reports of a man seen with a suspected firearm on Frith Road, Bognor.
“Due to the proximity of nearby schools, police advised them to follow temporary lockdown procedures while the area was searched.
“All schools have since reopened. Wider searches, including by armed officers, continue and a visible police presence remains in the area.”
The spokesman added: “Anyone with information or footage that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 using reference 450 of 22/10. In an emergency always call 999.”
