Knife alert see Grange School in Christchurch school locked down

The Grange School in Christchurch was locked down briefly this afternoon after police were called over a knife alert.

Police were called just before 4pm over reports a man was seen with a knife in the Somerford estate area of the town.

Officers were sent to the area and carried out “extensive searches”, a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“Following detailed enquiries at the scene, we believe the initial report to have been a false alarm with good intent and there is nothing to indicate any threat to the local community,” the spokesperson added.

Officers searched the school site as a precaution.

“A number of students and staff who were still on the site were asked to remain in place as these searches were carried out and they were subsequently escorted safely from the premises,” the spokesperson said.

The school sent parents emails this afternoon informing them of the lockdown, and were told just before 5pm that students were “free to leave”.