**Armed Police Respond to Lockdown at Welsh School Following Weapon Alert**
A secondary school in Caerphilly found itself at the centre of a security scare on Monday morning when concerns were raised about a potential weapon on site. The incident resulted in Lewis School Pengam entering a precautionary lockdown, prompting a swift and highly visible police response, including armed officers, to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.
Reports suggest that the school’s emergency protocols were enacted at approximately 9:30am after a comment was made regarding a suspected weapon in a student’s possession. School leaders immediately took the decision to secure the premises and limit movement, keeping all students safely within classrooms while the situation was addressed. Notification to parents was issued later, once initial investigations had taken place.
In a statement given to the press, Chris Parry, head teacher at Lewis School Pengam, sought to reassure parents and the local community that no one had come to harm during the incident. “We responded to an incident within the school, utilising our lockdown procedures. Police were in attendance and the incident was dealt with within the hour. School has returned to its normal schedule,” Mr Parry confirmed. He acknowledged the anxiety that such events can cause, adding, “We appreciate this can be unsettling for pupils and parents, and our pastoral team are checking in on their groups.”
Gwent Police were quick to respond, despatching both local officers and specially trained firearms units as a precautionary measure. A spokesperson for the force reported that, upon arrival, officers searched the student in question as well as the bag that had caused concern. After a thorough check, no weapon was found and no charges have been made. Law enforcement officials emphasised that the presence of armed officers was entirely precautionary, taken to guarantee the safety and reassurance of everyone involved.
The incident at Lewis School Pengam occurs during heightened national concern over safety in educational settings. Data published by the teaching union NASUWT Cymru recently revealed a sharp rise in violent incident reports across Wales, with 6,446 cases reported in schools between 2023 and 2024, compared with 4,714 the previous year. Such statistics have prompted the Welsh Government to prioritise discussions around safety and behaviour in schools, and an upcoming summit is scheduled to address these growing concerns and seek effective strategies.
For those in the community, the presence of armed police vehicles and officers on the school grounds undoubtedly caused alarm. However, law enforcement and school representatives have reiterated the necessity of acting swiftly in scenarios involving potential weapons, no matter how uncertain the initial reports may be. “The safety of our young people is paramount,” stated one local councillor, supporting the decision-making processes of both the school staff and attending officers.
Subsequent to Monday’s events, Lewis School Pengam resumed its usual activities, with additional support on hand from its pastoral care team to provide reassurance to students who may have been upset by the lockdown. The school administration has urged families to encourage their children to speak to staff if they are feeling anxious as a result of the incident.
While the search revealed no weapon and the event was contained within an hour, the situation has reignited discussions over the pressures faced by educational institutions to balance open, supportive environments with robust security measures. Parents have been encouraged to maintain open communication with the school and to approach pastoral staff should further concerns arise.
The prompt and professional actions of the school staff and the police have been widely recognised, with many in the local community expressing relief that the situation was resolved without harm. As Wales continues to address safety in schools at a governmental level, incidents such as this serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and the necessity for clear protocols and community awareness.
This episode is likely to feature in future discussions on safeguarding and handling emergencies in schools, as both police and educational leaders continue to work collaboratively in order to maintain safe spaces for learning across the region.