A bull has been shot dead after 'charging at people' in an incident close to a Crewe primary school - with police believing it posed an 'immediate threat' to people's safety.

Cheshire Police were alerted to the incident on Wells Avenue, Haslington, close to The Dingle Primary School, at around 8:50am on Wednesday 19 April.

Local officers, supported by firearms officers arrived to find a bull in an 'agitated state' - posing a threat to people in the area.

The owner of the bull attempted to secure the animal - but was unable to do so (Google).

The owner of the bull attempted to secure the animal - but was unable to do so.

Due to the 'real risk' of the bull escaping on to the main road and surrounding housing estates - a decision was made to 'dispatch' it.

Cheshire Police said the decision to kill the bull was not 'taken lightly' - but was made to 'protect residents.'

In the afternoon, Cheshire Police confirmed the incident with a social media statement.

The statement read: "At 8.50am this morning police were alerted to a bull on the loose and charging at people in Wells Avenue, Haslington.

The bill incident happened close to The Dingle Primary School, Haslington (Google).

"Local officers, supported by firearms officers, attended the scene and local residents, including the nearby school, were advised to stay inside as the bull in its agitated state posed an immediate threat to their safety.

"There was also a real risk of the bull escaping onto the main road and surrounding housing estates which could have caused a serious accident.

"Officers with the help of the owner attempted to secure the bull but the owner was unable to do so and the immediate danger to the public and the officers was high.

"A decision had to be made to dispatch the animal before anyone was seriously hurt.

Due to the 'real risk' of the bull escaping on to the main road and surrounding housing estates - a decision was made to 'dispatch' it (Cheshire Police).

"This decision is never taken lightly and the main focus here was to protect residents, some of whom were dropping children off at the nearby school."

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