Police search for unknown man carrying gun near Barry Beckett Children’s Centre in Coburg

A man carrying a gun was seen loitering near a child care centre in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, with police calling for witnesses to come forward.

GENERIC PICTURE: Man with a gun in a dark room, man holding gun

Police are searching for an armed man who was spotted loitering near childcare centre in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs.

The Barry Beckett Children’s Centre in Coburg went into lockdown on Friday, July 21 at 11.30am when a man was spotted carrying a gun on a walking track behind the centre

The unknown man made no contact with anyone in the centre, and no threats were made to staff or children before disappearing.

“We carried out extensive searches of the area; however, we did not locate the man,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

The centre send out an email to parents — seen by the Herald Sun — warning them to be “vigilant and aware” when dropping off and picking up the kids from the centre.

“It’s been an eventful couple of days … we had to go into lockdown due to a man seen outside the back fence, far side of the kinder yard, carrying a gun,” the email reads.

“The man paid no attention to us and did not threaten or approach any of us, but it highlights the importance of being cautious and aware.

“Police responded quickly and informed us when it was safe to return outside.”

The email from Barry Beckett Children‘s Centre also said educators from the centre spoke with the young children and explained to them what was happening in a “developmentally appropriate” way.

“For any families who do have children here, you may have your child discussing the incident today as police did come through the centre, which did raise questions, particularly for the children in the older age groups,” the email says.

Just one day before the incident involving the man with the gun, a truck hit about six cars parked in front of the centre on Connolly Ave / Spring St.

“Thankfully, no one was in any of the cars or injured, but we know that a lot of families park and crossroad there,”

“We are just thankful no one was hurt, especially children.”

Anyone with information on the unknown man with the gun is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online by clicking here.