A school was placed on lockdown for hours today after reports a gunman was on the loose.
Pupils at a secondary school in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, have been described by family as upset at being kept indoors and unable to call their parents.
Armed officers from Sussex Police attacked the seaside town today after reports a man was seen with a gun.
Schools near where the gunman was reportedly spotted on Froth Road were closed for nearly two hours as a precaution.
Police cars and dogs searched the area but have since been able to leave. No suspect is said to have been arrested.
The primary school affected was Regis School – a secondary school for 11 to 18-year-olds with almost 1,600 students, located next to the Arena Sports Centre.
Parents rushed to Regis School and followed advice to pick up their children, while students from surrounding schools were stuck in the sports center.
The primary school affected was Regis School (pictured) – a secondary school for 11 to 18 year olds with almost 1,600 pupils, located next to the Arena Sports Center in Bognor Regis
A mother with two children at school said: “The whole school has just gone into complete lockdown.”
“I went down to pick up my kids and they are just hysterical.” I've never experienced anything like this before.
“There are kids at the leisure center next door who are stuck there for two or three hours – there are kids who are climbing fences to get out.”
“Kids try to call their parents and then get criticized for using their phones.” It was just so poorly managed.
“There are dogs and probably five police cars in the parking lot.” It's just carnage.
“Now parents are coming to pick up their children.” “My daughter was just hysterical and sobbing.”
Sean Whitworth, grandfather of the school's children, said: “The police won't tell anyone.” “My daughter went down to get the children from school.”
Lucy Mackay, Receptionist at Regis School, said: “Police have informed us of an incident in the local community and as a result we have placed the school in partial lockdown.”
“This incident has ended and we are no longer in lockdown.”
“Many parents are here to pick up their children and we gave them a choice.”
“A lot of children are excited about what's happening. “They were locked up between 11.30am and around 1.15pm.”
A Regis School spokeswoman said: “Today the police informed us of a live incident in the local community and asked us to put our standard procedures in place to deal with such cases.”
“To reassure parents: the incident had nothing to do with school and we were able to continue with normal school life.”
“As you would hope and expect, students behaved perfectly during this time and I would like to thank staff for their guidance and support.”
“The welfare of our students is our top priority and we will always follow the advice of emergency services where necessary.”
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “At around 11.10am today police received a report of a man seen with a suspected firearm in Firth Road, Bognor.”
“Due to the close proximity to nearby schools, police recommended they implement temporary lockdown measures while the area was searched.”
“Since then, all schools have reopened.
“More extensive search activities, including armed officers, are underway and there remains a visible police presence in the area.”
“Anyone with information or footage that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 450 of 22/10.” In an emergency, always dial 999.'