Police investigating the appearance of a man armed with what looked like a rifle pitchside at an under-10s football match are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.
The individual appeared with the item at Ledbury Rugby Club in Herefordshire before walking off into nearby woods on Saturday morning.
West Mercia Police said a search was carried out of the area, but no suspect or firearm was located.
Inspector James Ashton said: “I’d like to reassure the local community that we’re taking the incident very seriously.”
“An investigation has been launched, and we’re actively pursuing several lines of inquiry.
“We will provide a further update as soon as we are able to.”
The match was suspended for about 70 minutes, with the children taken away from the pitch.
Previously speaking to the BBC, referee Nick Fish said the incident was scary for those who saw the man, who appeared from the image – taken by a parent – to be pointing the device as he looked down its barrel.
“I don’t understand people’s mentality of doing that at a football match,” he said.
