PASSENGERS on a train from Preston were left stuck inside the train at Watford Junction on Monday, November 5, after armed police were called out to what turned out to be two children playing with toy guns.
At about 1.50pm the British Transport Police were contacted by a passenger who saw the children as he got off the train. An armed response unit from Hertfordshire Constabulary was sent to the scene and passengers inside the train had to wait 15 minutes before they could get out.
After getting on the train to investigate and talking to the children's mother the officers discovered that the children were playing with toy guns .
A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: "Obviously in that situation we have to respond. If someone calls us and guns are mentioned it is our duty to send in armed police."
Passenger Mr Richard Hunter from Cumbria was waiting to get off the train at Watford Junction. He said: "There were at least four police cars there. It was just annoying because there was no communication to the passengers. We were just left in there, the door were locked and nobody told us why.
"They could have let us know what was going on.
"I think most people were pretty puzzled but not worried as most people are used to delays nowadays."
November 6, 2001 13:14
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