Reports of man with knife prompted school lockdown

A school in Nottingham was locked down after a report of a man with a knife outside the premises.

Nottinghamshire Police was called to Bluecoat Beechdale Academy at 14:17 GMT on Monday.

The force confirmed a male was stopped and searched but no knife was found. It was believed he had been carrying a stick.

The school confirmed a lockdown was implemented as a "precautionary measure" and confirmed nobody accessed the site.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: "The initial report we received was that there was a male outside the school and the caller saw what they thought looked like a knife in his hand.

"A person matching the description given was stopped and searched by officers but no knife was found. It is currently believed the male had been walking around with a stick.

"No further action was taken following the stop-and-search."

The school said all pupils and staff were safe.

Rachael Frearson, the school's principal, said site safety procedures were implemented as a "precautionary measure".

She added: "I can confirm that it was investigated immediately and the school responded as quickly and efficiently as possible and nobody accessed the site.

"Our pupils acted with the vigilance and maturity we would expect and we were very proud of their conduct."

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