‘Armed man’ seen at Liverpool nursery

A nursery is on lockdown after an armed man was seen entering the building before fleeing on a motorbike.

Detectives were called to Childsplay Nursery in Wavertree, Liverpool, today.

They were responding to reports that a man, carrying a gun, went into the nursery before fleeing the premises with a second man on a motorcycle.

A large area outside of the building has been cordoned off as well as a small section inside the grounds. 

It is not believed that the gun was fired and nobody is reported to have been hurt.

A manhunt has now been launched to find the apparent intruder. 

A spokesman for Merseyside Police: ‘We can confirm officers were this morning called to reports a man had entered a nursery carrying what appeared to be a firearm.

‘A report was received shortly after 8.10am that a man had come into Childs Play Nursery, Heathfield Road in Wavertree.

‘The man, who approached another man in the nursery at the time, was described as holding what appeared to be a firearm. The offender then left with a second man on a motorbike.

‘No-one is reported to have been injured and there is no suggestion a firearm was discharged.

‘Police are in attendance at the nursery to offer reassurance to pupils and parents and crime scene investigators are carrying out forensic examinations at the scene.

‘House-to-house inquiries are being conducted in the area and high visibility patrols have been stepped up to reassure the public.’

Forensic detectives seen at the nursery, as well as patrol cars, as the police examined the scene.

A resident, who lives near the nursery, told the Liverpool Echo: ‘Its absolutely, unbelievably shocking. It is a reasonably big nursery.

‘People from far and wide will be using it for their children as a nursery. So there is no indication that it’s a neighbourhood issue.’