Wakefield schools on lockdown after report of man ‘carrying suspicious item’

Pupils and staff at both Wakefield Girls’ High School and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School – known under the umbrella of Wakefield Grammar School Foundation – were kept inside after reports of a “potentially serious incident” yesterday.

It is thought police were called after a man was seen with what looked like a gun, in nearby College Grove, just after 2pm.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ”The caller reported that the man was carrying what was believed to be a suspicious item.

“Officers attended the scene and spoke to a man matching the description given.

“No suspicious items were found on him and he had committed no crime. He was not arrested.

“Since the original call came officers, some of whom were armed, continued to patrol and search the area but no similar calls have been received.”

A statement on the Grammar School Foundation’s website was posted by Laurence Perry, bursar and clerk to the governors.

It said: “The Foundation received information this afternoon (Tuesday) of a potentially serious incident to the north of Wakefield city centre.

“As such, we took the decision to keep all pupils and staff inside the respective school buildings until we were advised the situation had changed and there was no imminent threat.

“The schools returned to normal at 3.15pm.”