October 2025 brought a wave of heightened alerts across the UK, from school lockdowns to large-scale evacuations. The month underscored how quickly threats, both credible and precautionary, can disrupt daily life.
School Lockdown and Evacuations
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear – October 15
A school in Gateshead went into lockdown after a series of threatening emails were received. The situation caused widespread confusion among parents as communication channels broke down during the alert.
Chronicle Live – Gateshead School Lockdown
Cardiff, Wales – October 14
A Cardiff secondary school was locked down after a threat was reportedly made by a pupil. Police attended the scene to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Wales Online – Cardiff School Lockdown
Ammanford, Carmarthenshire – October 18
A school in Ammanford was placed in partial lockdown following reports of a knife threat directed at a pupil. Police were called, and a suspect was swiftly apprehended.
BBC News – Ammanford Knife Threat
Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire – October 14
A secondary school was placed into lockdown after an incident involving several students prompted a police response.
Leighton Buzzard Online – School Lockdown
Sidcup, London Borough of Bexley – October 9
Multiple schools in Sidcup were placed into lockdown after threats were made in the local area. Police later confirmed there was no ongoing danger.
News Shopper – Sidcup Schools Lockdown
Bognor Regis, West Sussex – October 22
Several schools in the Bognor Regis area were placed into temporary lockdown after reports of a person seen with a suspected firearm on Frith Road. Sussex News+2ITVX+2 However, Sussex Police later confirmed the individual was a 14-year-old boy in fancy dress carrying a toy gun.
ITV News – Firearm Scare Sussex
Smethwick, West Midlands – October 7
Shireland Hall Primary Academy in Smethwick went into lockdown after a group of individuals wearing balaclavas and carrying weapons (including baseball bats) were seen on the school grounds. Staff invoked the lockdown procedure, children were kept inside, and police investigations are ongoing.
Birmingham Mail – Smethwick School Lockdown
Public Space Evacuation and Security Alerts
London Euston Station – October 2
One of the UK’s busiest transport hubs, Euston Station, was evacuated following a security alert. Trains were temporarily suspended while British Transport Police investigated.
The Mirror – Euston Station Evacuation
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland – October 10
Aberdeen’s main hospital A&E department was evacuated after a man assaulted two people within the building. Police arrested the suspect at the scene.
STV News – Aberdeen Hospital Evacuation
Margate, Kent – October 8
Several streets in Margate were cordoned off and homes evacuated after reports that a property contained suspicious items. A bomb disposal unit was called to the scene.
The Express – Margate Evacuation
Preston, Lancashire – October 23
Residents were evacuated after “potentially explosive material” was discovered inside a house. Police and bomb disposal teams attended the property as a safety precaution.
Yahoo News – Preston Evacuation
Overview of October
October’s string of lockdowns and evacuations reflected a month of elevated alert levels across the UK. While many of the threats proved to be precautionary, they reinforced the ongoing challenges of maintaining public safety and emergency communication in unpredictable circumstances.