Gunman near school detained

An armed response team was called in

A man has been detained under the Mental Health Act after a gun alert at a primary school in Norfolk.

The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon near Coltishall Primary School.

An armed response team was called in after a parent reported seeing a man brandishing a handgun close to the school at about 1515 BST.

The police helicopter also scoured the area.

While the search went on about 200 pupils were kept in the school for their own safety.

Pupils were kept inside for their own safety

The gunman, who has not been named, was arrested at about 1615 BST near the river at Wroxham Road, Coltishall.

A police spokesman said the handgun turned out to be a replica.

Sergeant Andy Hood praised the actions of headmaster Chris Jones.

"The head teacher's actions were very quick-thinking.

"It was school turning out time and had the gentleman been walking round with a gun when the pupils came out we could have had a major incident on our hands," he said.