False Alarm in Bognor Regis: Toy Gun Sparks School Lockdown
Police swooped on Bognor Regis this morning after reports of a man brandishing a suspected firearm. The scare, however, turned out to be a 14-year-old boy in fancy dress carrying a toy gun.
Schools Locked Down as Police Launch Search
Officers were called to Frith Road at around 11:10am on Wednesday, October 22, following frantic calls from the public about a potential weapon. Nearby schools were placed into lockdown as a precaution while police scoured the area.
Chief Inspector Reassures Public: No Threat to Community
“Firstly, I’d like to reassure the community that we have identified the person — a 14-year-old local boy in fancy dress. He was carrying a toy gun and no offensive weapons were found,” said Chief Inspector Dave Groombridge.
“We understand the concern caused, but the calls were made in good faith. Our priority is public safety, so we deployed multiple units to keep everyone safe. I am pleased to confirm there is no threat to the wider community.”
Police thanked the public for their vigilance and cooperation during the incident, urging residents to keep reporting suspicious activity to protect the community.
