FOUR people were arrested after armed police were called to an Ipswich high school at lunchtime today following reports of a gang of men and guns being fired outside.

A police spokesman said a school staff member called at 11.50am to say there were a gang of males involved believed to have guns, and then a second call was received also alleging that guns had been seen.

Members of the public then reported seeing a man with what appeared to be a handgun and shots being fired.

Officers were immediately deployed to investigate, including armed police response units.

Subsequent investigations have resulted in four men being arrested.

A 21-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, both from Ipswich, have been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a firearm and are currently at Ipswich police station awaiting questioning.

A 30-year-old man from Ipswich and a 17-year-old boy from London have also been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a firearm and are currently at Bury St Edmunds police station awaiting questioning.

No victims or any persons with any injuries have presented themselves to the police.

Searches of properties and vehicles in the area have been made and a number of weapons have been recovered.

The area has been cordoned off and the students at the school in Mallard Way have been kept in at lunchtime and not allowed to leave the site.

The crash involved a black BMW and a second vehicle.

It’s believed that the car may have been chasing people on bikes before it crashed.

After the incident, a large crowd gathered – police are not certain how many people were in the car and how many extra arrived.

The police spokesman later said: “Police are working with local schools to minimise disruption to children being collected from school.”

Andrew Fell, headteacher at Chantry High School, said: “After a serious incident we were advised by police to keep the students safe.”

He later confirmed that the incident had not taken place on school grounds.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council confirmed that students at Chantry High School were sent home after the site was closed.

St Marks Catholic Primary School and Beacon Hill School remained open and parents were advised of travel arrangements.

He said: “Chantry High School was closed at 1.30pm, students were escorted out of the back entrance and were met by parents.

“Students who were unable to make arrangements were kept at the school.”

This is not believed to be connected to the recent accostings in the Ipswich area.

Stone Lodge Lane West and an area of Mallard Way from the junction with Hawthorn Drive to the junction with Sheldrake Drive are currently closed.

It is unknown how long these cordons will be in place.

Police are working with local schools to minimise disruption to children being collected from school.

Anyone with any information in relation to this incident is asked to call Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Buy tomorrow’s paper for the full story.