Schoolchildren forced to hide under tables as masked intruders wreak havoc

One parent said their child was left fearing for their life after the school was put into lockdown



Horrified parents have said their children were forced into an emergency lockdown after three masked intruders stormed onto the premises of Kineton High School near Warwick yesterday, Wednesday April 19.

Parents have claimed their children were left 'fearing for their lives' after the three youths wearing balaclavas were seen on the grounds of the secondary school in Banbury Road. Windows were reportedly slammed shut and classrooms plunged into darkness as they hid for safety.

Students were believed to have been hiding for more than an hour with the police reaching the scene at around 10.15am. Parents said their children were 'terrified' and 'confused' with teachers also said to be extremely distressed.

A horrified mother, whose 12-year-old son attends Kineton High School, told CoventryLive: “Three lads in balaclavas decided to get into the school grounds and the high school sent out the emergency lockdown siren. Classes were made to get under tables, keep quiet, doors locked and barricaded, lights off.

“Windows had shutters down, the kids, obviously terrified, messaged us parents. We were terrified, they were too.

“Children thought they were going to die, I was told there was blood on the school field. Mystery remains over what fully happened.”

Another parent said his young son was 'confused' and 'scared' during the incident. He said: “Children heard three alarms go off and were told to go under their tables. At first, the teacher told them it was a drill and my son said he believed she believed it was.

“Once they all realised it was not a drill, the children and teacher became scared. It also then became apparent the police were sweeping classroom to classroom to make sure no one was on the grounds as the police entered his classroom.

“I was contacting my son the entire time. He was confused and scared and just wanted out.”

A spokesman for Kineton High School said on Wednesday: “There has been an incident in school today which involved a call to the police shortly after 10.15am. Please be assured that the incident was contained, is over and all the pupils and staff at the school are safe.

“The schools lockdown procedure was deployed as a precautionary measure as three unidentified males were on site. Police are remaining in the area to reassure the public.

“This was an isolated incident and school has returned to its normal activities. The school remains fully open for the education of all its students. The safety and welfare of students is its most important priority.

A spokesman for Warwickshire Police said: “Police were called to a school on Banbury Road in Kineton shortly after 10.15am on Wednesday April 19. It is understood three youths were on the school premises and children were kept inside the school for their safety as a precaution.

“This was an isolated incident relating to local youths, which was contained and has been safely resolved. There is no wider risk to the pupils or teachers who are all safe and well.

“No offences have been established currently, however, enquiries are ongoing. Officers remain in the area to provide reassurance.”

The school is next door to an army barracks.

Boy in knife arrest after Kineton High School lockdown incident



A boy has been arrested on suspicion of carrying a knife onto school premises, sending it into lockdown.

Pupils at Kineton High School were kept inside on Wednesday morning and police called following reports three suspicious youths had been spotted entering the school grounds.

A search was carried out and a bag containing a knife was found, police said.

A 15-year-old from Southam was arrested at his home on Wednesday evening.

The teenager was detained on suspicion of possession of a blade and later released on bail while inquiries continue, said Warwickshire Police.

The force described the incident, which happened shortly after 10:15 BST on Banbury Road, Kineton, as "concerning".

Ch Insp Faz Chishty said it was believed to be part of an "ongoing dispute involving two pupils at the school," and there was no risk to the wider public.

"We understand the concern this has caused amongst pupils at the school and their parents and we will have officers at the school for the next couple of days to provide reassurance," he added.