Boy in fancy dress mistaken for carrying firearm in Bognor Regis

Police have confirmed that reports of a person seen with a suspected firearm in Bognor Regis earlier today (Wednesday, October 22) turned out to be a false alarm involving a 14-year-old boy in fancy dress. Officers were called to Frith Road at around 11.10am after concerned members of the public reported seeing someone with what […]

Police have confirmed that reports of a person seen with a suspected firearm in Bognor Regis earlier today (Wednesday, October 22) turned out to be a false alarm involving a 14-year-old boy in fancy dress.

Officers were called to Frith Road at around 11.10am after concerned members of the public reported seeing someone with what appeared to be a weapon.

As a precaution, a number of nearby schools were temporarily placed into lockdown while police carried out thorough searches of the area. The lockdowns were later lifted once the situation was resolved.

Chief Inspector Dave Groombridge said:

“Firstly, I’d like to reassure the community that we have identified the person who was subject to these reports — a 14-year-old local boy who was wearing fancy dress.

We have visited him and his family, and can confirm he had a toy gun with him at the time and was not in possession of any offensive weapons.

I appreciate this incident will have understandably caused concern in the community, however I am confident that those who called it into us did so with the best of intentions. Public safety is our priority, and due to the nature of the calls received, we deployed multiple units to the surrounding area.

I am pleased to say there is no threat to the wider community.”

Police have thanked residents for their vigilance and cooperation during the response.