A TEENAGER with an air rifle was spotted outside a primary school as pupils were leaving for the afternoon.

The 16-year-old boy was seen by two Dewstow Primary School pupils in Caldicot, who told teachers who then contacted police.

Police apprehended the teen who had a gas-powered air rifle which was not loaded, but has been destroyed since the March 24 incident.

In 2007 the Violent Crime Reduction act increased the age which you can legally buy an airgun from 17 to 18 years old.

A Monmouthshire County Council education spokesman said: “This was a one-off incident. Two pupils were late coming out of the school and saw a man coming out of his house from across the road with what they thought was a gun.

“The children were concerned enough to report it to the police. They were never in any danger and the school was never in any danger. The school has a variety of procedures in place and does not need to review its safety procedures.”

Cllr Wyndham Conniff, Caldicot Town councillor, said: “My grandson Benjamin, who’s nine goes to the school. It frightened the children regardless of how serious of an attempt it was. We are very pleased that it wasn’t a series incident.”

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “At about 3.15pm on Monday, March 24, we received a call notifying us that a person had been seen on The Close, Caldicot, with an object that resembled a firearm.

“Officers attended and identified the person referred to as a 16-year-old local boy. The object was identified as a gas-powered air rifle which at the time was neither loaded, nor operational (due to no gas). It was disclaimed by the owner and has since been destroyed.

“The 16-year-old voluntarily attended Caldicot Police Station and has been reported for possession of an air weapon in a public place.”