A student was detained by police after an incident involving an 'imitation firearm' on a university campus. Officers were called in after the drama unfolded at the University of Bolton on Friday (February 24).
An eyewitness to the incident, said to have occurred at the Social Learning Zone (SLZ) at the university's campus off Deane Road in Bolton town centre, told the Manchester Evening News that 'two students had bb guns and they were firing them.'
"It was carnage, it was ridiculous, it really was" the witness, who did not want to be identified, said. "Someone said that 'someone has a gun' so security went to find them and they couldn't find them."
The witness was critical of the university's response to the incident. "There was no lockdown procedure and no armed response or anything," they said. "The university didn't have a clue what to do in that situation.
'The police were called and they found them and arrested them but only about an hour later. I'm just angry at the way the university responded, nothing happened."
However, the university said police were called in 'thanks to the vigilance of our security staff' and that their security policy was immediately initiated. One student was detained by officers following the 'isolated incident' they added.
A spokesperson said: "We can confirm that an incident involving an imitation firearm occurred on Friday 24 February on University grounds.
"The University's security procedure was immediately put in place and thanks to the vigilance of our security staff, police were called and attended rapidly. A student was detained.
"This was an isolated incident and the University assessed no ongoing risk to staff or students. The University co-operated fully with the police investigation."
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been contacted for comment.
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