Four schools in a Nottinghamshire town were placed into a precautionary lockdown on Friday after armed police and emergency services rushed to deal with a man on a roof in the town centre.
Armed Response Descends on Queen Street
The incident began at 11.52am on Friday when Nottinghamshire Police received a 'concern for safety' report. Officers, including some carrying firearms and riot shields, swiftly descended upon Queen Street in the historic town of Southwell. The street was immediately cordoned off.
A police negotiator and crews from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were also dispatched to the scene. The fire service sent two engines from Newark and Highfields fire station to assist. Residents and business owners in the vicinity were advised to stay indoors while officers managed the situation.
Precautionary School Lockdowns Enacted
As a direct safety measure following the police activity, four nearby schools initiated lockdown procedures early on Friday afternoon. The affected schools were The Holy Trinity Church of England Infant School, Lowe's Wong Infant School, Lowe's Wong Junior School, and the Minister School.
Matthew Parris, chief executive of the Minister Trust, explained the decision. "A member of public called in to say about the incident in the town centre around the corner," he said. "We brought the children in at that point… as a precautionary measure whilst I contacted police to find out what was going on. Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of children."
The lockdown at the Minister School lasted for approximately an hour before pupils were able to return to their normal lessons. In an email to parents sent shortly after 1pm, the school clarified: "We are currently not in a lockdown situation, although we understand some primary schools in the local area are."
'Isolated Incident' With No Wider Risk
Police have moved to reassure the local community. A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police stated that the operation was an 'isolated incident' with 'no wider risk to the public'. Workers from shops within the cordon were later escorted by officers to collect their belongings.
The standoff caused significant disruption in the town centre, with Queen Street remaining closed for a period while the incident was resolved. The police response underscored the protocols in place for managing potential threats and ensuring public safety, particularly in proximity to educational institutions.
