A MAN carrying a gun – feared at first to be a shotgun – into council offices in Petersfield to dispute a parking ticket has raised fears about staff safety.

The incident at the Penns Place office’s of East Hampshire District Council was initially kept quiet. However, growing concerns and rumours led to a senior manager sending a reassuring e-mail to staff two days later.

But it appears some were left unsatisfied with this response, with at least one person fearing that reception staff could potentially be exposed to danger.

An e-mail to the Post claims there is no emergency plan for such incidents, nor is there a safety policy for staff who meet the public on a one-to-one basis.

The council denies this, saying the mid-morning incident on Tuesday, November 22, had been handled properly and safely.

But afterwards reception area security was increased.

In a statement the council added: “Staff have been commended for handling the incident appropriately and calmly. We have spoken to those involved and offered further support.

“We are confident our emergency and lone worker procedures are fit for purpose and security has been increased.”

Hampshire Police say they were told of the incident at about 11.30am, but haven’t commented on claims it took officers 45 minutes to arrive.

Petersfield police staff are temporarily based at Waterlooville while offices at Penns Place are converted for their use.

Police stress the man had an air rifle, not a shotgun. They say he walked into reception pointing the weapon at the ceiling saying it wasn’t loaded before putting it on the counter to talk to staff.

He said he was presenting it as evidence in a parking ticket dispute and added he was issued a ticket after parking so that he didn’t have to walk through the town centre to a repair shop with the weapon.

A police spokesman said: “This will be considered by council parking officers.

“No threats were made and he returned the weapon to his vehicle when asked to.

“We were told as it had been seen in a public place, but no concerns were raised for anyone’s welfare.

“Enquiries are ongoing to see if any offences were com