[A]RMED police were deployed as a precaution outside Carlisle railway station this afternoon amid a report that a male was seen “carrying a suspected handgun”.
A number of marked police vehicles, including at least one containing armed officers, could be seen in and around Court Square for a time.
One witness spoke of police “swarming” around the area.
A man was later said to have been detained, and a “replica firearm” recovered.
A Cumbria Constabulary spokesperson had said in an initial statement: “Cumbria Police received a report at 2.06pm today (18th April) of a sighting of a male carrying a suspected handgun on Collier Lane in Carlisle.
“Officers were quickly deployed to the scene to search the area and armed officers have been deployed as a precaution.
“Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the circumstances of this incident.
“There is no believed threat to members of the public at this time.”
In a subsequent statement released late this afternoon, a police spokesman said: “Officers have detained a man and the weapon in question – a replica firearm – has been recovered.
“No threats were made to the public during this incident and officers thank the public for their patience.”
