Man bailed after imitation firearm incident at hospital

West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, where the man was arrested <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, where the man was arrested (Image: Newsquest)

A man who was arrested in connection with a firearm incident at West Suffolk Hospital has been released on bail, police have said.

Officers from Suffolk police were called to the hospital in Bury St Edmunds at 2.46am on Friday, June 21 after receiving reports of a man in possession of a weapon.

The 31-year-old was arrested and an imitation firearm was seized before he was taken to Bury St Edmunds police station for questioning.

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Police say the man has now been released on bail until Thursday, July 25.

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The hospital has confirmed that its emergency department was closed for about 30 minutes following the incident.

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It also confirmed that no patients, visitors or staff were harmed as a result of the incident.

A police spokesman said it is not believed the weapon was held in public by the suspect or used in a threatening manner.

Dr Ewen Cameron, chief executive for the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, praised officers for their "rapid" reaction to the incident.