Reports of a gunman on the loose near a school in east London

Armed police were called after reports of shots being fired and a man with a knife near an east London school on Friday afternoon.

Scotland Yard confirmed they had been alerted and children were being kept inside the Roger Ascham Primary School in Walthamstow "as a precaution".

However, the Metropolitan Police later said that no armed man had been found.

"There were also reports of a man seen in possession of a large knife," a spokesman said.

"At this stage there is no evidence of a shot having been fired nor has any suspect been identified. We are not aware of any injuries. "

Police have sent a number of armed officers to reports of a gunman on the loose near a school in Walthamstow.

In a statement to ITV News, police said there were not aware of any injuries at this stage.

Reports are coming in of a gunman on the loose near a school in Walthamstow. The incident is near Billet Road. At least one shot has been fired.

Children at nearby Roger Ascham Primary school are being kept inside the building as a precaution

Police say they are not aware of any injuries and there have been no arrests at this stage.