A secondary school was dramatically evacuated and put on an emergency lockdown this morning over bomb fears.
Police swarmed Regents Park Community College and evacuated children after receiving a call at 8.23am regarding a bomb threat made to the school in Southampton, Hampshire.
Students at the school have been sent home after parents were informed while some are being kept safely on the basketball court across the road.
Specialist explosive officers are currently inside the school – which has around 650 pupils aged 11 to 16 – searching for a potential bomb.
One concerned parent this morning said a ‘suspicious package’ has been reported at the school.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘I can’t believe it, I dropped my daughter off this morning and now the whole thing is on lockdown because of what’s being called a ‘suspicious package’.
‘I didn’t know anything about it, another mum had to tell me but the children are now on the basketball court across the road, apparently safe.
‘They’ve told us not to worry, but that’s easier said than done when a suspicious package is reported at a school.’
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed they received a call reporting a bomb threat made to the mixed sex school.
A spokesman said: ‘We received a call at 8.23am today regarding a bomb threat made to Regents Park Community College in Southampton.
‘The school has been evacuated and officers are currently at the scene to conduct a search of the premises.’
A message on the school’s website says: ‘Please do not be alarmed, the school is carrying out an emergency procedure.
‘The children are safe and the school will keep you updated.’
Jonty Archibald, headteacher at Regents Park Community College, confirmed that the school was evacuated on the advice of the police.
More to follow.