Police have confirmed that reports of a person carrying a suspected firearm in Bognor Regis turned out to be a false alarm.
Officers were called to Frith Road just after 11 am following concerns raised by members of the public.
But it was later confirmed the individual was a boy in fancy dress.
As a precaution, several nearby schools went into temporary lockdown while police carried out searches. The lockdowns have since been lifted and all schools have reopened.
Chief Inspector Dave Groombridge explained: “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; 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.”
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