ARMED Police were called to Highcliffe School after a workman reported being shot at.

Pupils and staff were told to stay inside the school building while searches of the area were carried out.

After 20 minutes the area was declared safe and police confirmed that there was no danger to the public.

Officers were called to the Parkside school just after midday after a man, carrying out work on the school fence, was shot in the leg, allegedly with an air rifle.

Read the story as it unfolded:

An hour later Dorset Police released a statement which said: “Police were called at 12.06pm to reports that an air weapon had been fired at a groundsman working by Highcliffe School.”

They also said: “No one was injured. Police officers, including armed response units, are conducting a search of the area. No arrests have been made” and “We would like to reassure parents there is no risk to the children at Highcliffe School who are being kept safe within the school building.”

Despite the police statements, head teacher Patrick Earnshaw sent out an inaccurate message to all parents which said: “Reports in press of armed police being called to the school are incorrect. There is no need to be alarmed. Students are completely safe.”

At the scene, groundsman Grant Lavery said: “I felt something hit me on the leg while I was working on the school fence and a pellet bounced off.

“I didn't know where it had come from so we called the police. The armed officers were here very quickly.”

At the scene, Sergeant Kerry Shelley said: “There has been an incident involving some type of air rifle which has been fired in the general direction of some workmen.

“Firearms officers are called out to any incident involving a firearm.

·A 26-year-old man from the Christchurch area was arrested at an address near the school and air gun pellets were also recovered.

But the Echo understands he was de-arrested shortly afterwards and let go without any charges being filed because he had been shooting at pigeons.