One of Derbyshire’s largest secondary schools was locked down after reports of an altercation forced staff to keep pupils behind.
An email, seen by Derbyshire Live, was sent to parents of pupils at John Port Spencer Academy, in Main Street, Etwall, saying that an “urgent situation” had forced the school to keep students behind as a “lone drug user was threatening the general public.”
The incident was said to have lasted around 30 minutes, with the school waiting until officers from Derbyshire police gave them the all clear to lift the lockdown.
Principal Laura O’Leary wrote: “Due to an urgent situation outside of school in the local community it has been necessary to delay the end of the school day. All pupils will be remaining in the academy until the police have resolved the situation in Etwall village.
“In the village, there is a currently lone drug user threatening the general public. The police have this incident in hand, and as soon as it is safe to do so, we will allow pupils to head home.”
This was followed by an email 20 minutes later stating that it was safe for pupils to return home on the bus or on foot. Ms O’Leary thanked parents for their patience and understanding.
A spokesperson for Derbyshire police said: “We were called to reports of an altercation between two men in Main Street, Etwall, just after 2.20pm on Friday, January 10. Officers remain at the scene. No arrests have yet been made.”