Suspect named after schools put on lockdown following reports of 'man with gun'

A 19-year-old man has been charged after schools in Wigan were put on lockdown following reports of a 'man with a gun'.

The incident happened in the Billinge area on Monday (April 22). Police were called to the scene following 'reports of a man making threats with a suspected firearm'.

A number of nearby schools were temporarily put on lockdown as a precaution. A man allegedly fled the scene.

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Harry Daley, of Bankfield, Skelmersdale has since been charged in connection with the incident. The 19-year-old has been charged on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and on suspicion of sending a letter/communication/article conveying indecent/offensive message.

He is due to appear at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court today (April 24). Daley was remanded into custody, police said.

Detective Inspector Craig Hurst from our Wigan district said: "This incident was undoubtedly a worrying one for the local community and we deployed to the scene along with armed officers as this was a credible threat at the time. Once we had established the circumstances of the incident, we acted quickly on the information that we had and apprehended a suspect who had fled back to their home address in Skelmersdale.

"We would like to reassure the public that this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the wider community. I would like to thank the schools in the local area for their assistance, in acting appropriately to protect the children in their care.

"Extra patrol officers have been deployed, both on foot and in patrol cars. These officers will be there over the next few days and they are there to