School compelled into lockdown after ‘threats made’ towards two pupils
A secondary school was forced into a partial lockdown due to threats aimed at two students.
Ysgol Dyffryn Taf in Carmarthenshire, Wales, sought to calm parents’ fears after it took action on Wednesday following a worrying message sent via social media.
In what the school called a “precautionary measure”, all external doors were locked shut with lessons carried out as usual, reports Wales Online.
READ MORE: ‘Camel toe’ teacher who had sex with boy on house arrest as hubby pics resurface
See all our recent student news stories
Staff were also assigned to monitor school corridors and the site’s perimeter, located just north of Whitland town centre.
Understandably, the situation sparked worry among parents, and the parents of the two students who were the target of the threatening messages were directly informed by the school, which operated as normal on Thursday and Friday.
Neighbourhood policing team officers were present at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf on Wednesday, and Dyfed-Powys Police is now investigating the incident.
In a letter dispatched to parents on Thursday, the school’s head teacher Alun Owen stated: “I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my reassurance to you that the school is fully open and that the risk associated with Wednesday’s incident has passed.
“I imagine many of you may have some questions or concerns regarding why I felt it necessary to go into partial lockdown.”
He continued: “Whilst it wouldn’t be appropriate to share specific details with you at this point, what I can say is that a threatening message/threats were made, over social media, regarding the safety of two specific Dyffryn Taf pupils. The parents of these pupils were made aware of the threats and are fully supportive of the school’s responsive action.
For more shocking stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters
“This threatening message/threats were ultimately deemed sufficiently credible to trigger a partial lockdown response and were dealt with effectively by the school. Ysgol Dyffryn Taf has policies and procedures in place that are designed to keep the whole school community safe and yesterday’s incident proved that these policies work very well.”
Mr Owen added: “If any pupil may need some welfare support, this can be arranged through their head of year and our pastoral officers. I also wish to extend a sincere and heartfelt word of thanks for the very calm and highly professional behaviour that our staff displayed throughout the process.
I am extremely proud of the way they all worked to manage the situation so effectively.”
