Police with metal detectors were scanning undergrowth near an Aberdeen university yesterday after the discovery of a stolen shotgun on its grounds.
Shocked students arrived at the Robert Gordon University’s Garthdee campus to find specialist officers guarding a taped-off area near Gray’s School of Art.
Last night a university spokesman said the weapon had been discovered in the undergrowth by a member of its estates team on Monday night and immediately reported to the police.
He maintained that there was “absolutely no risk” to students or staff.
It is understood the gun was taken from a house in Aberdeenshire in 2012.
The RGU spokesman said: “As this is now a police matter, it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further other than to confirm there is absolutely no risk to our students or staff, whose safety is always our priority.”
A spokeswoman for the police said: “Early inquiries would indicate that this weapon appears to have been stolen from a property in the Aberdeenshire area in 2012. “These inquiries are at an early stage, and ongoing, to establish when the weapon was disposed of, and how it got there.
“I would like to take this opportunity to stress that at no point has there been any threat to the public and that the item has been safely recovered by specialist officers.”
The police had left the scene by yesterday afternoon.
Yesterday students said they were “shocked” at the discovery at the quiet suburban campus.
Molly Black, an 18-year-old studying contemporary art at Gray’s, said she was just finishing her studies for the night when police swooped.
She said: “I was leaving late, about 8pm, to go home and I saw all the police outside.
“I just didn’t know what to think, it’s so quiet around here usually.
“It’s scary that it’s happened here, you would just never expect it.”
Another student Angela Jay, 19, said: “I came for 9am to find everything sealed off, it’s so unusual.”
Martin Greig, chairman of Aberdeen Community Safety Partnership, described the discovery as “profoundly worrying”.
He said: “The presence of firearms and any other weapon is hugely concerning.
“Serious incidents involving the threat of weapons are in low numbers, but there is no room for complacency. Residents also have a role in supporting the police by reporting suspicious activities and individuals. Weapons should be disposed of safely, for example by contacting the police.”
