TWO ARRESTS: Two Northampton primary schools forced into lockdown after man seen with 'suspected firearm' following threatening phone call
Northampton men, aged 19 and 57, have been arrested after two Northampton primary school were forced into lockdown within a matter of hours after a threatening phone call and reports of a man with a suspected gun.
Earl Spencer Primary School and St James Primary School were both put into an emergency lockdown on Wednesday September 23 in what police described as ‘two unrelated incidents’ in the area – one involving a suspicious phone call making threats and another after a man was seen with a firearm which later turned out to be a toy gun.
Two Northampton men, aged 19 and 57, have since been arrested – with police stressing there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The emergency procedure, which schools regularly practice with children, saw staff and pupils locked inside the school buildings as a precautionary measure with police officer positioned outside.
The first incident happened just after 11.15am when Earl Spencer Primary School in Streatfeild Road, Northampton, received a suspicious phone call from someone making threats.
A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police said: “As a result, the school took the precautionary decision to implement its lockdown procedures to ensure the safety of pupils and staff, and called police to report the incident.
“Whilst there was thankfully nothing to suggest that the threats made were credible, local neighbourhood policing officers attended the school to establish the circumstances surrounding the phone call, determine its veracity and provide reassurance.
“An investigation into the phone call is ongoing with a potential suspect in another force area identified. Enquiries to locate this person are currently being undertaken.”
The second incident was received at about 3.10pm when a member of the public reported they had seen a man with a suspected firearm in Muscott Street, Northampton – less than a mile away from both Earl Spencer and St James Primary School in Harlestone Road.
It is understood that both schools were then put into lockdown – Earl Spencer for a second time and St James for the first.
Armed officers were deployed to the area and two local men aged 57 and 19 were arrested in connection with the incident, according to police.
The force told the Chron that the firearm was seized and upon examination, turned out to be a toy gun.
Chief Inspector Nic Davis-Lyons said: "We fully appreciate that today's incidents will have caused concern among parents, residents and the wider community.
"However, I would like to reassure everyone that, following our enquiries, there is nothing at this time to suggest that these two incidents were linked in any way. They were entirely separate events which, very unfortunately, occurred within a mile of each other on the same day.
"The second incident resulted in a further lockdown as a precaution while armed officers responded and established the circumstances of the report. This was the right and appropriate course of action, and these procedures worked exactly as intended to keep pupils, staff and the wider school community safe.
"Most importantly, throughout both incidents, the safety and wellbeing of children remained our absolute priority. We have worked closely with the school throughout the day, and I would like to thank staff, parents and pupils for their patience, cooperation and understanding.
"We will continue to provide reassurance in the area while enquiries remain ongoing, but I would stress that there is no ongoing threat to the public."