Chichester school locked down after armed police callout
Students were held in classrooms for 20 minutes during the incident
A Chichester school has been forced into lockdown following an incident involving armed police.
Students were kept inside classrooms at Chichester High School in Kingsham Road on Wednesday (October 16th) after a young person who does not attend the school, gained access to the school grounds while being pursued by police.
The school's co-headteachers Naomi Lewry and Nicholas Taylor told parents in a statement that the person did not enter school buildings.
They added:
"The youth then left the site as the police continued to pursue them. The lockdown was lifted shortly afterwards following police guidance.
"We understand that any lockdown processes can be unsettling, however we would like to reassure you that the safeguarding and welfare of our students and staff remains our highest priority.
"We are looking forward to welcoming our students back into school tomorrow. Should any students have any worries or concerns we have a number of staff members available to speak with them; tutors, wellbeing and safeguarding leads in addition to pastoral team members who will be happy to support."
Police also carried extensive searches at nearby Bishop Luffa School in Westgate.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said:
"Due to the nature of the report, armed officers were deployed to the scene and carried out an extensive search of the area. No weapons were seen and no injuries were reported.
"Our enquiries are ongoing at this time, and officers will remain in the area for community reassurance."
Anyone with any information or footage of the incident is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 790 of 16/10.