Firearms ‘incident’ at hospital

Armed police were called after a ‘gun’ sighting outside St Richard’s Hospital this week.

A firearms incident was declared on Tuesday morning (May 4) following the sighting of a gun inside a car parked outside the Chichester hospital, police said.

The report came from a member of the public.

“The area was sealed off and a firearms incident was declared,” a Sussex Police spokesperson said.

“The owner of the car was traced and it was established that it was an airsoft gun which is a replica air weapon.

“He was given words of advice about storing and carrying it. No one was harmed.”

Readers on social media reacted, with Lynn Hoare saying: “Very irresponsible of the owner as these toys look so real. The police were right to not take any chances.”

Another, Brenda Whitlock, added: “Toy guns can look realistic these days and the police action was not to assume.”