Armed police swarm road outside west London school after reports of gunshots

Armed police were pictured at the scene in west London
Twitter/@RealMaidaHill
Ella Wills20 August 2018
WEST END FINAL

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Armed police today descended on a street outside a west London school after receiving reports of gunshots.

Officers searched the area around Kennet Road near Maida Hill with a police helicopter shortly after 4pm on Monday.

Pictures shared on social media of the scene showed part of the road outside the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School on lock down.

Witnesses reported hearing three shots outside the Kennet West Skills Centre, a vocation skills centre for students with learning difficulties next to the school, according to MailOnline.

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police told the Standard evidence of a firearm discharge was found at the scene.

The incident was stood down after no suspects were found and no one was injured.

Nick Purnell, 42, told the news outlet: "It was a heart-pumping moment.

"There were three of us working in one of the classrooms at the time and we all just ran out.

"My mate hid in a disabled toilet while me and the caretaker hid in the cupboard, and that's where I called the police."

A spokeswoman for the Met said: "Police were called on Monday, August 20 at around 4.10pm to reports of shots fired in Kennet Road, Westminster W9.

"Officers and armed officers attended.

"No reported injuries. Evidence of a firearm discharge was found.

"No arrests. Enquiries continue."

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