Northumberland: Two Morpeth schools locked down after man picking litter mistaken for gunman

Two schools in Northumberland went into lockdown this morning after a man carrying a litter picker tool was mistaken for a gunman.

A pupil raised the alarm to police after witnessing the man entering woodland near Mitford Road in Morpeth.

Staff and pupils remained inside Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools as a precaution while Northumbria Police searched the area.

Officers then spotted two men picking up litter - including one who matched the description provided.

The force said the report had been made "in good faith".

No other people were seen near the school or in the woodland, police added.

Cheviot Learning Trust, which runs the schools, said the facilities had "followed their procedures".

It said staff heeded the advice of police and "kept the pupils in the buildings" while the search was being carried out

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Alice Witherow, co-chief executive of the trust, added: "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."

She also thanked police for their speedy response and said the schools resumed lessons as normal a short time later.

Officers confirmed no threats had been made to anyone inside the school.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson added: "While the report was made in good faith, it is believed that the litter picking tool was mistaken for a firearm.

"As a result there has been an increased policing presence in the area."