Armed police and a helicopter descended on a secondary school this afternoon after reports of "masked men carrying knives" and an "incursion".
Firearms officers were on the scene "within minutes" following a call about a "potential hostage-taking incident" at Abbeyfield School in Mereway, Northamptonshire, the county's police said.
Police then carried out a sweep of the grounds while Abbeyfield was placed under emergency lockdown.
A spokesman for the force said later on Friday: "We deployed firearms officers within minutes of the report coming into us.
Police then carried out a sweep of the grounds while Abbeyfield (pictured) was placed under emergency lockdown
"Following a search of the school we can confirm that nobody has been taken hostage, nobody has suffered any injuries, no weapons have been recovered and nobody has been arrested in connection with any offences.
"While we understand this was a deeply upsetting turn of events, we would like to reassure members of the school community and those living within the immediate vicinity of the school that police are not treating this as a terrorism-related incident.
"Officers are still at the school, but are expected to be stood down shortly," the spokesman said just before 6pm.
MORE SCHOOL LOCKDOWNS:
Police have also urged members of the public with information about the "upsetting" afternoon to get in touch on 101 quoting reference 298 of May 9, 2025.
The mass police response comes just two months after another episode of violence broke out involving Abbeyfield School.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of threatening a pupil with a knife - which prompted the school to release a lengthy statement.
Armed officers from Northamptonshire Police descended on the school
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE POLICE
"One of our students was approached in a threatening and aggressive manner by an individual on the underpass after school yesterday.
"Fortunately, our student did not sustain any injuries and the incident was reported to police immediately. Police and our staff responded swiftly to attend the scene and provide support to our student.
"Our priority is ensuring the safety of all our students and staff," Abbeyfield said.
