GUNMAN SOUGHT AFTER SHOOTING NEAR LEIGHTON BUZZARD SCHOOL

Bedfordshire Police launched a manhunt after a firearm was discharged near a school in Leighton Buzzard on Wednesday afternoon. Officers said they responded to reports of the discharge shortly before 3.30pm in Grebe Drive. Specialist armed officers were deployed to the area and identified a vehicle believed to have been at the scene. When officers signalled for the driver to stop, a chase followed, ending when the car collided with an unrelated vehicle in Porz Avenue, Dunstable. The occupants of the suspect vehicle fled on foot, and one man was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

A lower school near the scene was placed into lockdown for a short period as a precautionary measure, though Bedfordshire Police did not name the school in its statement. Greenleas School, which is in close proximity to the incident, issued its own statement confirming the school would reopen as normal the following day. "School is open as normal 5th November. Thank you to the children, staff and parents for their composure and calm during the incident today," the school said. Porz Avenue was closed between the Boscombe Way and Lovatt Road roundabout while emergency services dealt with the crash, and residents were advised to avoid the area.

Bedfordshire Police said in a statement on Facebook: "We understand this is a concerning incident but would like to reassure the public that a strong police presence will remain while initial enquiries take place." Additional scene guards have been allocated in Grebe Drive and on the A505. Police have asked anyone with information to call 999, quoting Operation Tanglewood. The search for the suspects who fled on foot continues.