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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Tomas Malloy

Locals react as 'scary' air weapon incident sparks Bristol schools lockdown

Residents have spoken about what they saw amid a "scary" air weapon incident where "multiple Bristol schools were put in lockdown".

Officers were deployed to the Broadlands Drive area today (September 22) after reports of a man with an air weapon in the area.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has confirmed the man could not be located and the search has now concluded.

READ MORE: Woman cyclist dies in collision with HGV near Bristol University

Oasis Academy Brightstowe, and reportedly St Bede's Catholic College and Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School were affected by the police incident, with no staff or pupils allowed to leave the premises while the search was underway.

One witness said: "Heard the helicopter hovering for ages and quite a few police cars went down Longcross, none of the parents even know what happened, just had messages from the school saying the kids aren’t allowed out until the police say. Scary."

Another said: "Parents at Nova primary and Blaise high are angry that the police said it was safe to let the kids leave despite the other local schools being in lockdown."

A police statement reads: "We received a call at just after 1.30pm from a member of the public reporting they’d seen a man with what appeared to be an air weapon in the Broadlands Drive area of Bristol.

"A search of the area was carried out by officers, but the man could not be located.

"We do not believe there is any ongoing risk to the public and the search has now concluded."

A message sent from Oasis Academy to parents earlier today reads: "We have been told by the police that all schools in the area have to go into lockdown until further notice owing to an incident in the local area.

"We will therefore not be allowed to let any students or staff leave site until notified by the police."

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