A 46-year-old man from London has been arrested in connection with a lockdown at Earl Spencer Primary School in Northampton, following reports of threatening calls made to the school on Wednesday, September 23.
The incident unfolded shortly after 11:15am when the school, located on Streatfield Road, received a call from someone making threats. The school immediately implemented its lockdown procedures to protect pupils and staff and contacted police, according to Northamptonshire Police.
Arrest made on Wednesday night
Police launched an investigation, and on Wednesday night, officers from another police force area arrested the 46-year-old man on suspicion of malicious communications. He remains in police custody.
Chief Inspector Nic Davis-Lyons said: "We hope that the arrest made this evening will provide reassurance to pupils, parents and school staff, as well as the wider community."
"Any threat made against a school is taken extremely seriously by Northamptonshire Police and officers have been working closely with the school since this incident was reported to investigate the circumstances and identify a suspect."
Police praise school's response
Davis-Lyons thanked the school for its handling of the situation: "We would like to thank the school for the excellent safeguarding procedures it implemented today and for the clear priority it placed on keeping its pupils and staff safe."
Local neighbourhood policing officers will maintain a presence at the school over the coming days for reassurance. Anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to these officers.
Separate lockdown at neighbouring school
In a separate development, St James Primary School, also in Northampton, was placed into an emergency lockdown on Wednesday in what authorities described as an "unrelated incident." The lockdown followed a sighting of a man carrying what appeared to be a firearm, which later turned out to be a toy gun.
Davis-Lyons added: "I would also like to thank parents, school staff and our partner agencies for their patience and support today. It is much appreciated."
