Bedfordshire school on lockdown after nearby shooting as police launch manhunt

Bedfordshire school on lockdown after nearby shooting as police launch manhunt Bedfordshire Police are searching for a gunman after officers responded to reports of a firearm discharge near a school shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday A manhunt for a gunman is underway after a Bedfordshire school was placed into lockdown when a firearm was discharged nearby. Bedfordshire Police said they responded to reports of a firearm discharge shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday, November 4 in Grebe Drive, Leighton Buzzard. Specialist armed officers were deployed to the area and later identified a vehicle believed to be at the scene of the discharge. Officers indicated for the driver to stop and a chase ensued. The car came to a stop in Porz Avenue, Dunstable after it collided with an unrelated vehicle. One man was treated at the scene for minor injuries and those inside the suspect vehicle fled on foot. Police are searching the area. A lower school in close proximity to the incident was placed in lockdown for a short period as a precautionary measure. Police did not name the school in their statement, but Greenleas School is in close proximity to the incident and has issued a public statement following the incident. Greenleas School said in a statement on its website: "School is open as normal 5th November. Thank you to the children, staff and parents for their composure and calm during the incident today." Porz Avenue remains closed between Boscombe Way and Lovatt Road roundabout as emergency services respond to the crash. Residents have been asked to avoid the area and use alternative routes if driving. "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," Bedfordshire Police wrote in a post on Facebook. Additional scene guards have been allocated in Grebe Drive and on the A505. Anyone with information has been asked to call 999, quoting Operation Tanglewood. The Mirror has reached out to Greenleas School for further comment on the incident.