A teenager has been arrested after a 15-year-old boy was seriously injured in a shooting as he made his way to school.

Police were called to the Grange Farm area of Kesgrave in Suffolk at 8.40 am on Monday to reports of a shooting.

Suffolk Constabulary said the victim, 15, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he is receiving urgent medical attention.

The suspect, whose age has not been revealed, was arrested in Ipswich – around five miles away from the scene – and is currently being questioned in custody.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Jones said: “Following this serious incident our priority is to keep everyone safe.

“We have now made an arrest as part of the investigation and are working with our partners in Suffolk and our schools to ensure that everyone feels safe when they are collecting their children from school this afternoon.

“There will be more police officers on patrol and to provide reassurance in the area and I would ask for anyone with information about this incident to come forward.”

Kesgrave High School had earlier confirmed one of its Year 11 students was involved in the incident.

“We have made aware by the police that there has been a serious incident involving one of our Year 11 students, on their way to school,” the school said in a tweet.

“Students in school are safe and we are managing the situation in constant, close communication with the police.

“Students are to remain in school and will be kept safe in liaison with the police. Police will be present in the area and around the school throughout the school day.

“At the present time we are expecting students to be dismissed at the end of the school day, 3.20, as normal.”

Nearby Friends Walk and Through Jollys have been completely closed off and there is a partial closure of Ropes, police said.

Members of the public are asked to avoid these areas, which has been cordoned off by officers.