Morpeth schools locked down after litter-picking tool mistaken for gun

Officers say a tool to pick up litter was mistaken for a firearm (library picture)

Two schools were locked down after a litter-picking tool was mistaken for a firearm.

The alarm was raised after a pupil saw a man entering woodland in the Mitford Road area of Morpeth, Northumberland, at about 09:00 GMT.

Pupils and staff remained indoors until officers completed a search of the surrounding area, where two men were found litter picking.

Northumbria Police said the report was made "in good faith by a pupil".

Cheviot Learning Trust, which runs Chantry and Newminster schools, said the facilities "followed procedures".

It added pupils were kept in the building "on the advice of police" while the reports were being investigated.

"Safety of all our pupils and staff is our top priority and I am pleased to say that all processes were diligently carried out by our school leaders," chief executive officer Alice Witherow said.

"Our thanks to the police for their fast response."

'Thorough search'

Officers said while no-one else was identified in the vicinity of the school or surrounding woodland, patrols would be increased.

The force said it received a report of concern near a school on Thursday.

"It was reported a pupil at the school had witnessed a male in possession of a possible suspected firearm entering an area of woodland nearby," a spokesperson said.

"As a precaution, staff and pupils remained indoors, although no threats were made to anyone inside the building.

"Police immediately attended and conducted a thorough search of the area where two males were spotted litter picking, one of those matching the description provided."