Masked water pistol-wielding school intruder wearing girl's trainers laughed at by pupils

Police were called to a school after a masked raider holding a water pistol demanded cash and mobile phones from stunned teachers and pupils. Officers attended Fearns Community Sports College in Stacksteads, Lancashire, after reports of an offender wearing ‘girls' trainers threatening members of staff and pupils in the reception area with what was originally thought to be ‘a small, black pistol’.

Ten officers were involved in the case, including four officers who volunteered after the report came in to go and search for the ‘gunman’. A police spokesman said: “A male or possibly female entered the school wearing a black ski mask and carrying what looked like a small black pistol. Witnesses described someone in girl’s trainers who sounded like a girl putting on a man’s voice demanding money and mobile phones, before fleeing the school.



“Due to the appearance of the individual, the veracity of the weapon was very quickly put in doubt. Pupils in the reception area immediately laughed at the person making threats, and the weapon turned out to be a blue plastic toy gun with an orange tip. Two lines of enquiry were followed on two possible perpetrators, but both were found to have no case to answer. The case remains open, so we are appealing for anyone with information to call police.”

Nigel Dawson, headteacher, has said that support has been offered to the three members of staff and three pupils present at the time of the incident. One staff member present was said to be ‘shaken’ by the events. Mr Dawson said that the events were ‘very unusual’ but added that ‘no one was hurt’. The head also praised staff for their reactions. He said: “This was a very unusual incident but I’m relieved to say that it appears no one was in danger at any time. Everyone reacted appropriately and calmly, and the whole thing was over in a few moments. Thankfully no one was hurt, and no items were stolen, before the intruder ran off.”