A parent has shared her horror after police descended on her daughter’s Oxfordshire school amid a weapon incident.

The incident occurred at around 2.45pm on Wednesday as Thames Valley Police officers were called to a disorder on Abingdon’s Wootton Road close to Abingdon & Witney College.

A 17-year-old boy from Abingdon was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and has since been released under investigation.

There were no reported injuries but students were kept inside the school as a safety measure causing concern for parents.

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Abingdon & Witney College on Wootton Road. (Image: Abingdon & Witney College)
One mother who wished to remain anonymous told the Oxford Mail: “My daughter was in college and not allowed out leaving me very concerned.

“She is a little shaken and they are all questioning what's happened obviously but they are Ok.

“It’s normally a very friendly, quiet college.”

The police force imposed a Section 60 authority around the college and surrounding roads which saw armed police in the area on Wednesday night.

This order gives officers extra powers to carry out stop and search checks.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We are undertaking a number of enquiries and reassurance patrols, so members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area.

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Armed police were seen in Abingdon on Wednesday night (stock photo).Armed police were seen in Abingdon on Wednesday night (stock photo). (Image: John Stillwell/ PA)

“Where appropriate, officers will use the power to stop and search any persons to prevent further disorder and carry out proactive patrols to reassure the public and community around the area.

“If you are in the area and have any concerns, please do speak to any of our officers who will be on patrol throughout today.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen this incident or who has dash-cam, doorbell or phone footage from the area around the time that it happened, to please get in touch.

“You can provide information by calling 101 or through our online pages, by quoting the reference 43240498912.”

The school has since confirmed in a statement on Thursday the incident was an isolated one and that police enquiries are continuing.

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The Section 60 zone outlined by Thames Valley Police.The Section 60 zone outlined by Thames Valley Police. (Image: Thames Valley Police)

A statement from Abingdon & Witney College said: “There was an incident on campus on Wednesday which was de-escalated very quickly by staff. We can confirm that no one was hurt.

“The police attended promptly and are carrying on their investigations. As you would expect, we are therefore unable to comment further.

“We would like to assure students and their parents that this is an isolated incident and that the college is open as normal.

“If students have any worries at all, then they should speak to a member of the college staff.”

There was also another incident at an Oxfordshire school on the same day as Oxford Spires Academy was partially locked down as police raced to the area at around 2.37pm.

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Officers confirmed that a student, who was reported to be making threats, was spoken to but no criminal offences have been identified and the matter was resolved.

A spokesperson for Oxford Spires Academy said: “On Wednesday afternoon, shortly before the end of the school day, we were alerted to a potential risk outside the school site.

“To ensure that police officers could manage the situation efficiently, we put the school into a partial lockdown.

“This meant that students were held in their classrooms until the police had given us the all-clear to send students home safely. The partial lockdown lasted less than 15 minutes.

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There was also a police incident at Oxford Spires Academy.There was also a police incident at Oxford Spires Academy. (Image: Newsquest)

“No one was hurt in the incident and our safety procedures were highly effective in resolving this matter.

 “We would like to thank staff for their decisive action and Oxfordshire police for their swift response.”

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