Manchester colleges in ‘lockdown’ over fears for security as police swarm space
A man in his 40s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a public order offence, according to Greater Manchester Police – it comes after at least two schools were locked down
At least two schools in Middleton were reportedly put into ‘lockdown’ this afternoon as police responded to an incident. Police were dispatched to Wood Street around 12.10pm after receiving reports of a man causing a disturbance by shouting threats in the street.
A man in his 40s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a public order offence, according to Greater Manchester Police.
Parents and guardians of children at at least two nearby schools were informed that their children would be kept indoors for the afternoon, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Manchester Evening News has seen communications from both Bowlee Park Community School and St Mary’s RC Primary School, which are situated close to the incident.
A spokesperson for GMP stated: “At around 12.10pm today (November 13), officers responded to reports of a man shouting and making threats on Wood Street, Middleton. Officers attended and a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Schools in this part of Middleton have been subject to other previous lockdowns. Bowlee Park was evacuated in June after someone threatened to bomb the site.
Two weeks earlier, both Bowlee Park and St Mary’s went into lockdown after someone had reportedly been seen with a knife outside.
A message from Bowlee Park said: “”We are aware of an incident in the local area. While our school is not directly affected, we are taking sensible precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.
“As a safety measure, pupils will remain indoors for the rest of the school day. Lessons and other planned activities will continue as normal. There is no need for parents or carers to come to school. This step is simply being taken to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of our pupils.
“Children will be collected at the usual time and locations. We thank you for your understanding and support.”
Meanwhile, a message from St Mary’s told families that the school had been ‘in lockdown briefly’.
It said: “There was an incident today at school where we were in lockdown briefly. A person was shouting towards the school. Police were called and arrived immediately.”
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