School on lockdown, man wielding '˜an axe'

POLICE hunting a man who was seen hitting traffic bollards with '˜an axe' in Pemberton - causing a nearby primary school to be put on lockdown - have made an arrest.

Officers dashed to Enfield Street in Pemberton shortly before 8.50am this morning, scouring the area for the suspect who was spotted by terrified members of the public.

Police on Enfield Street in Pemberton where an axeman was potted hitting objects at the side of the road

placeholder image — Police on Enfield Street in Pemberton where an axeman was potted hitting objects at the side of the road

He was seen hitting bollards on the roadside. Police moved their search to Howard Street and a man was arrested on suspicion of affray.

Officers were seen storming a property via the fire escape.

Police with the weapon at the scene as they search for a man reported to be walking around Pemberton with an axe

A police spokesman said: “We were called just before 8.50am to reports of a man with an an axe near Lidl supermarket on the junction of Enfield Street.

“He was seen hitting objects but there are no reports of anyone being injured although a number of people who called us were quite distressed.”

Nearby Highfield St Matthews primary school sent a text to parents saying the school was put on ‘lockdown’ as a safety measure, adding “police have now resolved the situation”.