Imitation gun found in Melbourne primary school playground

Detectives are probing the discovery of an imitation gun sealed in a plastic bag at a primary school in Melbourne's inner north.

The ABC understands two students found the imitation firearm in the playground area at Princes Hill Primary School at around 12.30pm yesterday.

In a message to parents, school staff said police attended in response to "a bag that was found containing a weapon at the back of the school grounds".

They said police arrived to "remove the weapon" but that "there was no risk to school students or staff at any time".

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said no threats were made to the school and that no-one was injured.

Police believed the weapon was an imitation, she said.

School staff thanked teachers and students for responding to the discovery "quickly and professionally" and urged anyone with concerns to contact the school's main office.

Yarra Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating how the item came to be on school grounds.

Princes Hill Primary School and the Department of Education were contacted for comment.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online report.