Armed cops alert as charity ninja outfit causes alarm

Armed response officers were called to Lancaster city centre this week after a man dressed as a ninja for charity caused alarm among shoppers who thought he was carrying a machete.

- by Gayle Rouncivell

Rob Fenton, who runs Wrap Ninjas street food, had decided to spend the day dressed as a ninja to raise money for St John's Hospice. He walked around the city centre in Tuesday posing at various locations to highlight his fundraising.

However, walking down Penny Street he was suddenly approached by two police officers.

"I saw the two officers speaking to someone as I walked through town, and then they asked me to stop," he said.

"They said there had been someone matching my description reported to them who was wearing a black balaclava and carrying a weapon.