Winchester police arrested three teenagers after an air rifle was fired several times close to a city primary school.

A man was struck by a pellet but was unharmed, said a police spokesman.

A delivery driver was also targeted and a pellet lodged in the cardboard box he was carrying.

The incident was close to Stanmore Primary School and so officers reassured staff and pupils after the incident which happened at about 9.30am on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said: “Our officers went into the school to speak to the children just to calm things down.”

Police arrested a 17-year-old and two 16-year-olds, all from Winchester, at a nearby address in Stanmore Lane, Stanmore. They seized an air rifle and a quantity of pellets.

Police have charged the 17-year-old with firing an air weapon beyond premises. He is due to appear at North West Hampshire Youth Court on November 3.

The two 16-year-olds were arrested on suspicion of common assault and have been released on police bail until December 9.

In a statement, Amanda Jones, head teacher at the school, said: “Air rifle pellets from a neighbouring property strayed on to the perimeter of the school site on Tuesday. The police were called and appropriate action was taken.

“As a precaution, the older children were kept inside during morning break until the situation had been resolved. The children’s safety is my first priority and this was not compromised in any way during the incident.

“The community police officer popped in after the incident and I asked him to talk to our older children about the dangers of BB guns and air rifles. They are not toys and should be used only with adult supervision.”