POLICE are investigating a report that a man in his twenties was aboard a train headed to Ipswich armed with a firearm.

An anonymous caller contacted police just before 3.10pm saying the man had boarded a train from Bury St Edmunds.

The man was said to have been carrying a “black handgun” and armed police were dispatched to Ipswich station.

The train arrived just after 4pm and police searched for a man described as black and in his twenties.

Police found no one matching the description and made a thorough search of the train for the firearm.

A police spokesman said officers had checked the train when it stopped at Needham Market en route to Ipswich but also found no one who matched the description.

Police dispatched several vehicles as well as a dog unit to Ipswich to make the search.

The spokesman said: “We are in contact with British Transport Police who are aware of the incident and are helping with the investigation.”

He said police were continuing their enquiries.