School children from St. Luke's C of E Primary School in Arbury Cambridge were evacuated from the school on Tuesday after several children spotted a man, wielding a gun, by the school gates.

Staff sprang into action during the incident, which took place during the pupil's lunch break, and quickly led the children to safety before searching the area.

Headmaster Steve Down said: "The children were moved from the school playground fields and the incident was reported to police. All safety protocols were followed by the school."

A parent, commenting on the frightening event, said: "My son said the man had a handgun and was at the school fence and he is not prone to making things up."

Thankfully, upon investigating the incident, it was discovered that the man in question was taking part in military and police terror training.

A spokesman for the Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed this, saying "Cambridgeshire Constabulary is currently taking part in a joint training exercise with military and other stakeholders. The exercise is over two days."

Expressing his regret that the school had not been informed of this training, the school's headmaster admitted: "I am disappointed the school was not informed that this exercise was happening. I have to ask if conducting such an exercise outside a school is the best place."

Concerned parents, however, praised the school's response to the incident, saying: "I think the school did the right thing. The teachers were brilliant as usual. It is better to be safe than sorry."

Following tragic school shootings in recent months, we're very relieved to learn that it was a false alarm in this case.
 

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