October has been a busy month for the people responsible for keeping others safe, whether that’s a head teacher, a venue manager, or a security team. In the first few weeks alone, sites across the country moved into lockdown, sometimes within hours of each other. Some faced real weapons and arrests nearby; others made a precautionary call on a concern that was later resolved. In every case, the people in charge acted quickly to keep everyone safe and informed as they did in September.
Barcombe primary school locked down as man arrested on suspicion of carrying a knife
A primary school in Barcombe, Sussex, secured its premises as a precaution after concerns were raised about a man’s behaviour in the village at around 3.30pm. Sussex Police arrested a man on suspicion of possession of a knife and said the incident appeared isolated, with no wider risk to the community.
Sussex News- Barcombe Primary School secured as police arrest man
Croydon college and academy locked down after machete chase
John Ruskin College and neighbouring Quest Academy in Croydon were locked down after reports that a masked teenager was seen chasing a student across campus with what appeared to be a machete. The Metropolitan Police attended shortly after 5pm, but the suspect had already left; no one was hurt and the lockdown was later lifted.
Your Local Guardian- Machete chase in Croydon sparks lockdown
Heywood’s Newhouse Academy locked down after hoax bomb threat calls
Newhouse Academy in Heywood went into lockdown after receiving two malicious phone calls, prompting a bomb threat investigation by Greater Manchester Police. Parents were asked not to come to the school while the assessment took place; no students or staff were hurt and the academy reopened as normal the next morning.
Manchester Evening News- Manchester school placed in lockdown over hoax bomb threat
Doncaster school next to police station locks down over safety concern
Doncaster UTC, which adjoins the city’s central police station, briefly went into lockdown at the end of the school day after information about an individual believed to be in the area. Police attended promptly and staff checked the surrounding streets before pupils were dismissed; the individual never entered the building.
Doncaster Free Press- School next to police station put into lockdown over safety concerns
Wokingham school locked down after report of man with weapon in park
The Holt School and other nearby schools went into a precautionary lockdown after reports of a man carrying a weapon in Cantley Park, with pupils kept in classrooms until police gave the all-clear. Thames Valley Police arrested a 20-year-old local man on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place; he has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Reading Chronicle- Wokingham schools on lockdown over report of man with a weapon
Penistone Grammar School locked down over unauthorised adult on site
Penistone Grammar School in Barnsley activated its full lockdown procedures after an unauthorised adult was seen on the school site and staff could not confirm he had left. South Yorkshire Police found the man was a parent dropping off a bag for his child, and the school later asked families not to share unverified information on social media but to rely on its official texts and emails.
The Star- South Yorkshire school locked down over ‘suspicious’ man
Kettering school locked down after emailed bomb hoax
Bishop Stopford School in Kettering went into lockdown after police were called to a number of premises in the town that had received threats by email. Nearby Greenfields Primary School also kept children inside for a short time on police advice. An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax, and both schools carried on their day as normal once the lockdown was lifted.
Northamptonshire Telegraph- Teenager arrested after bomb hoax forces Kettering school into lockdown
Rochdale school locked down and evacuated after bomb threat call
St Cuthbert’s RC High School in Rochdale went into lockdown after staff received a call warning of a possible bomb, then evacuated more than 1,000 pupils to a safe distance. Greater Manchester Police found the call was a hoax, and the school closed for the day while the site was checked. The academy trust asked families not to speculate on social media, including spreading false rumours about intruders or weapons.
Manchester Evening News- Rochdale school placed in lockdown
Two Southampton primary schools locked down after knife report
Valentine Primary School and Kanes Hill Primary School in Southampton moved into their sheltering procedures after a report of a man carrying a knife in the area. Hampshire Constabulary arrived within four minutes and carried out an extensive search. No arrests were made, and both schools returned to normal once police confirmed there was no active incident nearby.
Daily Echo- Two Southampton schools put into lockdown after incident
Hundreds of schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland hit by hoax bomb threat
Up to 300 schools across Northern Ireland received the same emailed bomb threat on a Monday morning, and Police Scotland investigated similar messages sent to schools there. Some schools closed, and St Colman’s Primary School in Lambeg evacuated 400 pupils before parents collected them. Police found nothing untoward, assessed the risk as low and confirmed the email had come from outside the UK.
Express- Over 300 schools evacuated after bomb threat as police launch probe
Rotherham school locked down after police chase ends in crash
Newman School, a school in Whiston, Rotherham, went into lockdown as a precaution after a police chase of a car wanted in Derbyshire ended when it hit a tree on East Bawtry Road nearby. The two people in the car ran off, and South Yorkshire Police arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of theft.
The Star- Rotherham school placed into lockdown after car chased by cops hits tree
Caerphilly school locked down and evacuated after bomb hoax
St Martin’s Comprehensive School in Caerphilly went into lockdown after receiving a bomb threat, then evacuated pupils and staff as a precaution. Gwent Police attended and found no issues, and the school reopened as normal the next day. North Wales Police arrested a 16-year-old boy from Wrexham, around 130 miles away, on suspicion of making the hoax; he has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
Wales Online- School put into lockdown after threats made by teenager 130 miles away
Wallsend primary school locked down after serious assault nearby
Hadrian Park Primary School in Wallsend was reportedly placed into lockdown after a man in his 20s was seriously injured in an alleged attack on a grassed area near the school on Addington Drive. Police, paramedics and the Great North Air Ambulance attended. Two men in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and later released on bail.
Chronicle Live- Two people arrested over alleged attack near Wallsend primary school
Worcester primary school locks down as police search for suspects nearby
Northwick Manor Primary School in Worcester put itself into lockdown while West Mercia Police searched Northwick Road for two men seen acting suspiciously. The men went onto the school grounds but did not enter the building, and police said there was no risk to the school or the wider public. Officers are investigating an attempted burglary at a home nearby, and the men have not yet been found.
Worcester News- Northwick Manor Primary School put into lockdown after incident
Coventry college locks down after imitation firearm seen nearby
Coventry College’s city centre campus put its lockdown procedures into place after reports of a firearm being seen outside a supermarket opposite the site on Swanswell Street. Armed West Midlands Police officers attended, found an imitation firearm and arrested several teenagers on suspicion of possession of a firearm. They have since been released on bail. The lockdown was lifted quickly, and the college later contacted parents and students to go over its lockdown procedures and point them to support.
BBC News- Teenagers arrested after Coventry college placed on lockdown
Redditch secondary school locks down as a precaution
Arrow Vale High School in Redditch put its lockdown procedures into place as a precaution after what the school described as a minor, isolated incident. Pupils sheltered in their classrooms while the situation was dealt with, and it was resolved quickly with no further disruption to the school day. West Mercia Police provided a presence outside the school gates that afternoon.
Redditch Standard- Pupils hide under desks as Redditch High School goes into lockdown
A month that put communication to the test
From hoax emails to police chases, October’s incidents were all different. What each one needed was the same: everyone on site hearing the right instruction at the right moment, and families getting the facts before the rumours. Find out how a school lockdown system helps you do exactly that or talk to the team.
