A headteacher in Nantwich has moved to reassure concerned parents today after two intruder alerts led to classroom lock downs.
Students at Brine Leas Academy were kept in rooms while police were called out to deal with a trespasser.
Andrew Cliffe, headteacher of Brine Leas, said there was “no risk to students in school” in both incidents.
A girl was arrested in the second incident which happened yesterday (Tuesday September 23) – 24 hours after the first incident.
Mr Cliffe said it showed that the intruder alarm system was working well.
And he also revealed that new fencing and new gates were set to be installed around the boundaries of the school grounds to make the site with more than 1,000 students even more secure.
He told Nantwichnews: “We introduced an intruder alert for the increased safety of everyone on the site. If an unauthorized person is on the school site a number of bells are rung.
“Staff and students are expected to remain in classrooms and, if appropriate, the police are called.
“It is very rare for us to use the system although we do practice it. This week we have used the system twice and in both cases, the police were called.
“The intruder in both cases was a teenage girl and given the prompt actions of our staff, there was no risk to the students in school and our systems worked.
“During the school summer holidays we actually ordered additional fencing and gates which will make entry into school even more difficult than it is currently.”
Work on the new security fencing and gates is set to start in two weeks and should be complete before October half-term.
“I am cautious by nature and over the years we have increased our security when we can afford it,” Mr Cliffe added.
“I would rather spend the money on other resources for the school, but these are the times we are living in. Safety of staff and students is paramount.”
Nantwich Police confirmed they were called to two incidents and that a 14-year-old youth was arrested.
Insp Dave Smithers, head of Nantwich Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said she was later charged with threats to kill, possession of a bladed article, and harassment.
She was due to appear before South Cheshire Magistrates in Crewe today (September 24).
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