By By Kev Hedges Mar 10, 2011 in Crime Hove - Police are hunting three men currently at large in Hove, a town on the south coast of England this afternoon, after one of them threatened a police officer with a gun. There are two schools in the area and police have issued warnings to the head teachers. Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett issued a statement: The headteachers at nearby schools have been advised and we are asking parents not to attend the schools at this stage. The pupils are all being kept inside the buildings, however there is no threat to their safety and police officers are also present. Armed officers are currently searching the area for the men and we would ask anyone who sees three men acting suspiciously in the area to contact police immediately. The trio, carrying an offensive weapon, were stopped by police at 1145GMT (0645EDT) this morning when one of the men threatened an officer with a gun, reports the On the Blatchington Mill School It is not known if the trio have been captured as yet. The two schools in the area have gone into lock-down and parents have been urged not to go into the area, even to collect their children from school. Although police have said there is no direct threat to the schools, Blatchington Mill and Hove Park, the heads have been told to keep children inside as a precaution, Sussex Police said on its website.Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett issued a statement:The trio, carrying an offensive weapon, were stopped by police at 1145GMT (0645EDT) this morning when one of the men threatened an officer with a gun, reports the BBC . The police force's helicopter is currently circling the area around Coleridge Street and officers are joining in the search on the ground.On the Blatchington Mill School website , headmistress Janet Felkin has just told parents and carers the students can now go home at the normal time. She said: "You need to thank and congratulate your children as they have behaved exceptionally well, considering the very difficult conditions they have had to endure this lunch time. I thank you for your support and look forward to a calm and peaceful day tomorrow."It is not known if the trio have been captured as yet. More about Gun threat, Sussex police, Hove More news from Gun threat Sussex police Hove