Armed police swoop TWO schools to 'guard' children after 'knifeman' spotted

An armed response resulted in officers attending the scene in the vicinity of Butt Park Road in Honicknowle.

Little has been said about the possible identity of the alleged knifeman, with reporters merely suggesting they were a young person.

Police attended the scene and have been carrying out searches in the area.

However, officers have not reported identifying anything of note so far.

A spokesman for Devon & Cornwall Police said: "Police were called at 10.50am today to the Honicknowle area of Plymouth following a third-hand report of a young person possibly in possession of a knife walking in the Butt Park Road area.

"Armed officers and local neighbourhood and response officers have been in the area carrying out enquiries.

"We remain in the area. However nothing of note has been identified at this time".

Multiple witnesses claimed armed officers were present at schools, with a riot van being stationed outside the nearby YMCA.

One parent told Plymouth Live: "I saw a riot van parked by the big gate at around 12.15pm by the YMCA and a police car passed me on Honicknowle Lane and a female police officer was outside.

"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.

"I also saw an officer talking to a young lad on the fly-over bridge as I came passed."

Armed police eventually left All Saints Academy shortly before 3pm.

In an update to parents, All Saints Academy confirmed that police attended the school to “ensure the safety of our school community".

“Police have now left the site, but an increased presence will remain in the local area as a precaution," the school added.

Eyewitnesses had reported the schools being placed in lockdown amid the sighting this morning.

One recounted: "Armed police at Shakespeare Primary School and All Saints Academy in Honicknowle.

"Three police guards at All Saints pupil entrance and two armed guards at Shakespeare".

Another eyewitness corroborated: "Armed police guarding the entrance at All Saints and police are stopping kids from leaving because something is going on in the community."

The incident comes just days after schools across Devon were shut due to adverse weather conditions.

More than 50 schools were closed or opening later than usual due to the weather.

A rare red wind alert looks set to trigger yet more school closures in nearby Cornwall tomorrow.

More than 30 Cornish schools were already forced to close earlier this week.