Eccles school put into emergency lockdown as police race to incident

Police were called to the scene after a ‘suspicious’ report

St Patricks RC High School, New Lane, Eccles

A school in Greater Manchester was put into emergency lockdown measures as police were called to an incident. St Patrick’s High School on New Lane in Eccles implemented the procedures on Wednesday (April 1).

It followed reports of a male ‘acting suspiciously’ in an alleyway behind the school. Officers attended, with efforts made to find the man, but he had made off from the scene. No arrests have been made.

One parent, who contacted the Manchester Evening News said children were ‘locked into the school’ and had to be picked up by a parent or guardian following the incident. Greater Manchester Police confirmed a search was carried out outside the premises.

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The high school later issued a statement thanking parents and carers for their cooperation following the lockdown measures being put in place as a precaution. No further details about the nature of the police report have been confirmed.

A statement read: “Thank you to all staff for their professionalism today during an unexpected incident that resulted in a lockdown.

“All children and staff were kept safe at all times. Please be reassured school is open as normal tomorrow.”