A teenage boy has been charged after a Scots park and school were locked down amid reports of a man being armed with a gun. Armed cops were deployed and a police helicopter following a report at Callendar Park in Falkirk around 11am on Friday, January 31, of “a person acting suspiciously”.
Police Scotland confirmed tonight a 14-year-old male was identified following a search and an imitation firearm was recovered. Officers advised the public to steer clear of Callendar Park and pupil’s at the town’s Graeme High School were kept indoors during the incident this morning.
At first nobody matching the description was found but police said a probe into the incident remained ongoing. Graeme High School, in the town, was locked down, with pupils told they were not allowed outside while the situation was ongoing.
But the pupils were later allowed to come and go from the school as normal at lunchtime, according to Falkirk Council, after officers dealt with the incident. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11am on Friday, 31 January, 2025, we received a report of a man with a possible weapon in Callendar Park, Falkirk.
“Officers attended and a search of the area was carried out. A 14-year-old local male youth was subsequently identified and an imitation firearm recovered. He has been charged in connection and a report will be sent to the relevant authority.”
A Falkirk Council spokesperson previously said: “Earlier today, Police officers attended Callendar Park in Falkirk and, as a precaution, Callendar House was closed temporarily to the public.
“It has now been re-opened. In addition, pupils and staff from nearby Graeme High School were asked to remain inside while officers dealt with a report of a person acting suspiciously in the park.
“Police Scotland has now advised that the incident has been dealt with and pupils are free to come and go as they please at lunchtime break.”
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