Armed police officers and riot vans descended upon two schools in Plymouth on Thursday afternoon following alarming reports of a young person seen carrying a knife. The incident prompted a major security response, with pupils instructed to stay inside the school buildings for their safety.
Police Secure School Entrances
The swift police action unfolded at Shakespeare Primary School and All Saints Academy in the Honicknowle area of Plymouth, Devon. According to multiple witnesses, a significant police presence was established at both locations shortly after midday on 8 January 2026.
One local reported seeing three police officers stationed at the pupil entrance to All Saints Academy, while two armed guards were positioned at Shakespeare Primary. The response included marked riot vans and patrol cars, effectively sealing off access points to the schools.
Parent Describes Scene of 'Terror'
A concerned parent recounted the tense moments to local news outlet PlymouthLive. "I saw a riot van parked by the big gate at around 12.15pm by the YMCA," they said. "A police car passed me on Honicknowle Lane and a female police officer was outside."
The parent added further detail, stating, "The van was at the gate to All Saints by the Burrington Community Hub, stopping cars going in that way and apparently there are police at the doors with the head [teacher]. I also saw an officer talking to a young lad on the fly-over bridge as I came passed."
Ongoing Police Operation
The precise circumstances that led to the armed response remain under investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police. The primary objective of the operation was to ensure the immediate safety of all students and staff, leading to the directive for them not to leave the school premises.
While the scene was secured, the sight of armed officers and riot vehicles in a school setting caused considerable anxiety within the community. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about knife crime and school safety in communities across the UK. Authorities have yet to confirm if any arrests were made in direct connection with the reported sighting.
