School Lockdown: Stand-off with Gunman Puts Croydon Schools & Colleges in Lockdown

Five educational facilities forced to go into lockdown during ten hour stand-off as armed police respond to man with gun making threats

The incident in the Addiscombe area of Croydon this week began when a man rang police, threatening to kill people. When officers attended the scene, the suspect then claimed to be armed with a gun.

Due to the extreme threat, five schools and colleges in the area went into lockdown to protect their students and staff. The educational facilities affected were Oasis Academy Shirley Park, Oasis Academy Arena and Oasis Academy Ryelands (all run by Oasis Community Learning), Cressey College on Coombe Road and Road 2 Success on Morland Avenue.

 

The lockdowns were eventually lifted when the situation was deemed safe, and students were able to return home without further incident.

 

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police stated “Police were called at 08:32hrs on Tuesday, 19 March, by a man who made threats to kill. Officers attended Pagehurst Road near the junction with Addiscombe Road in Addiscombe. A man was found in a car at the location and when approached he intimated he had a firearm. Armed officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene, the London Fire Brigade was also informed.

 

“Officers have now resolved the situation. The man was arrested at approximately 18:30hrs on suspicion of making threats to kill. He has been taken to a south London police station where he remains in custody. Cordons remain in place. No schools in the area were affected by this incident. There is no evidence of any terrorism motive. At this early stage, there appears to be a domestic element to this incident.”

 

 

Bodet’s Lockdown Alert System allows you to broadcast a unique lockdown alert, separate to other emergency situations such as evacuation. This lockdown alert can be broadcast across your entire school premises instantly using a range of both remote and local trigger methods, including wireless remote control and smartphone app. Using a separate Lockdown Alert System increases both safety and communication, so your students and staff instantly know what’s happening and how to respond.

 

If you would like to find out more about how our Lockdown Alert System can be tailored for the specific needs of your school, please contact us.