Chorley primary school placed on lockdown after 'non-threatening man' approaches staff at home time
The school has confirmed students and staff were not at risk.
A primary school in Chorley which was placed under lockdown yesterday has confirmed pupils and staff were not at risk.
Heskin Pemberton’s CofE Primary School was shut down for approximately ten minutes on Monday (November 9) as parents waited outside to collect their children.
The students inside were allegedly told to play a game of ‘heads-down, thumbs-up’. Loud videos were put on in the classrooms and the curtains closed while police were called to the scene.
One parent told the Lancashire Post they were not told why the lockdown had been put in place, and described the experience as “frightening”.
Parents and carers were eventually able to collect their children from the school when the lockdown subsided.
Headteacher Alan Brindle has now confirmed that staff, students, and families outside had not been at risk as a result of the incident, which was caused by a man approaching staff in a non-threatening manner at home time.
He said: "A man approached reception staff at the front entrance of the school this afternoon when all of the children were inside. He did not display any threatening behaviour towards the staff or the school.
"He was relocated to a safe area away from children, before he left the local area.
"The school implemented its lockdown procedures while he was being relocated. The lockdown was in place for around 10 minutes, which caused a very short delay to pick-up time. The children remained safe throughout and were unaware of the incident.
"Our staff called the police who attended and have talked to the man. As an additional precaution, there will be an increased PCSO presence around the school over the coming days to provide reassurance to parents, pupils and staff."
No arrests have been made, and the situation has been resolved.