Three arrested after school emergency lockdown

Three people have been arrested after a school was forced into an emergency lockdown.

Police were called to Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, after a sighting of individuals with potential weapons in the area shortly after 14:30 GMT on Friday.

Huxlow Academy on Finedon Road said in a letter to parents it had been instructed by police to go into an emergency lockdown and any students leaving at the end of the day were retrieved by staff.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said three males, aged 15, 17 and 21 were arrested on suspicion of possession an imitation firearm and remained in police custody.

"Advice was offered to Huxlow school although there was no reason to believe there was any threat to students," the police spokesperson added.

Huxlow's headteacher, Kim Isaksen, said the school received the call from police just as the bell rang for the end of the day.

"Students were directed by staff to form rooms to be supervised by a member of staff," she said in her letter.

"We appreciate how worrying this must have been for families but the students' safety is always our utmost priority."

She added that students "behaved impeccably" and they were later allowed to make their way home once police called the school to advise the situation was "under control".

Sam, who has two children at Huxlow Academy, said: "There were children crying, they were just really unsure whether it was safe to be out. It's not a nice thing to see as a parent.

"I must admit, the school did deal with it really well.

"They were only notified at 15:20, and acted as quickly as they could have done."