Lancaster school locked down as wanted man in car park 'hides from police'

Thursday, 10 October 2024 17:09

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Police cars near Willow Lane Primary School in Lancaster on Thursday afternoon

A Lancaster school and nursery went into lockdown while a wanted man in their car park was 'hiding from police'.

Willow Lane Primary School and Appletree Nursery initiated their lockdown procedures for children and staff on Thursday afternoon.

The man was later arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and making threats to kill, following an earlier incident elsewhere in the city.

A post on the Willow Lane Primary School Facebook page said: "At approximately 3:30pm today we initiated our lockdown procedures for Willow Lane Primary School and Appletree Nursery School when we were aware that a man had absconded from the police and into our car park.

"The school was locked down for around 10 minutes.

"The man was detained by police and taken away.

"All the children at after school clubs and staff followed the procedures and were kept safe.

"They were an absolute credit and the police had a chat with them after to talk it through and commended them on their response."

A further post from the school said: "The staff and children were amazing today.

"Sadly, this can happen anywhere.

"We do not believe the man was there to be a threat to the children. He was hiding from the police but we took no chances and the children and staff were inside within a minute of raising the alarm.

"We really do have amazing children and staff and systems in place."

A spokesperson for Lancaster Police said:

"At 1:45pm yesterday (10^th October) we attended an address on Water Street in Lancaster for an arrest enquiry after we received a report of a man making threats to a woman.

"While doing so, one of our officers was assaulted and suffered minor injuries.

"Later in the afternoon, at 3:30pm, a 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and making threats to kill.

"He is currently in custody."