Man arrested after gun threats near schools

A man has been arrested after police received reports of a gunman making threats near two primary schools.

The incident is alleged to have taken place at about 14:30 BST on Monday around Gantley Road in Orrell, Wigan.

Greater Manchester Police sent armed officers and children were kept inside school for a short time.

At 20:30 BST on Monday a man in his 20s was detained on suspicion of making threats to kill and firearms offences after handing himself in at Skelmersdale Police Station.

It happened close to Orrell Newfold Community Primary School and the nearby St James Catholic Primary School.

Police said no injuries were reported and there was believed to have been no wider threat to the community.

Det Sgt Christian Glover said: "This would have been a frightening incident for anyone who witnessed it or was aware of what had happened.

"There was a credible threat, which is why armed officers were quickly deployed."

He said searches were ongoing in the area and the investigation "is very much ongoing".

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

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