Man in court over ‘firearm’ incident which forced school closure

Outwood Academy Foxhills in Scunthorpe was forced to close early as a “precaution” on Wednesday after the incident on Foxhills Road, where both the house and the school area located.

Humberside Police said a 24-year-old man had been charged with aggravated burglary following the incident.

He was charged with six other offences, including robbery, theft of and theft from a motor vehicle, possession of a class B drug, theft by walk-in (sneak in) and possession of an imitation firearm.

He will appear at North Lincolnshire Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Humberside Police had been called at 7.23am on Wednesday to reports that a man had threatened a woman with a firearm, which they believed to be imitation.

A spokesperson said: “The man allegedly broke into the house before demanding money from a woman at the address. Early indications suggest the firearm is an imitation.

“The woman was not hurt in the incident but is in shock.”

Police later arrested the man and recovered a firearm. There was no indication that the offender would impact the school site, police said.

A statement on Outwood Academy Foxhills website said it would be open as usual on Thursday.

It said: “Due to a police incident on Foxhills Road on Wednesday morning the academy was closed as a precaution, we worked closely with the police to ensure all students were able to return home safely after contact was made with parents/carers.”