It was suspected that an intruder ‘may have returned’ to the school in Eccles following a reported break-in
It was suspected that an intruder ‘may have returned’ to the school in Eccles following a reported break-in
Parents and carers were sent an urgent note about a possible intruder at a school before pupils were put into emergency lockdown procedures on Wednesday (April 1).
Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were called to a ‘suspicious’ incident at St Patrick’s RC High School on New Lane in Eccles shortly before 3pm. It was reported there was a man acting suspiciously in the alleyway behind the school.
Searches were carried out while pupils were kept inside, but the suspect had made off from the scene. No arrests were made, and pupils were later allowed to leave and return home.
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Notes sent out to parents and carers through a portal, now shared with the Manchester Evening News, claimed there had been a ‘break-in’ at the site before the school day started, and that it was feared the suspected intruder ‘may have returned’.
Children were then kept inside amid lockdown procedures while police searched the site. One mum claimed her son, in Year 10, said that part of the procedure includes crouching down beneath tables.
“Dear parents and carers, we had a break-in this morning before school,” the note read. “The suspected intruder may have returned. Police are here. Whilst we check the site fully we have locked down the school to keep all children safe.
A message was sent out to parents about the lockdown(Image: Submitted)
“Please do not come to school. We will be in touch again very soon.” One mum claimed the message appeared on her phone at around 3.30pm, with the school day due to typically finish at 3pm. It was later confirmed that the suspect had been ‘within the vicinity’ of the school site at the end of the day.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers attended to reports of a suspicious man in the alleyway behind the school, but that following a search, nobody was found. One parent said children were ‘locked into the school’ and had to be picked up by a parent or guardian following the incident, or accompanied to their appropriate bus service.
Following the incident a follow-up note was sent to parents and carers through the Class Charts online portal. It read: “We decided to lockdown as there were reports of the suspected intruder within the vicinity of at the end of the school day. The intruder was not on site, but the area needed to be checked before we let the children leave school.
“We know this is not a nice experience for any pupils or staff, but safeguarding our community was the most important priority.” It continued: “Please let us know if you have any worries or concerns so that we can make sure all children are OK.”
The high school later issued a public 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.”