Sussex school undertakes lockdown drill after boy arrested for threats to kill

Police received a report that a threat towards The Priory School in Lewes had been posted on social media.

Officers worked with the school in Mountfield Road and engaged with local authorities to “safeguard the pupils” following the threat.

A boy, aged 15, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill.

He has since been released under investigation.

In a statement given to The Argus, The Priory School head teacher Tony Smith said pupils were forced to practice safety procedures the following day.

“On Tuesday, the school undertook a lockdown drill as the result of a social media post regarding the school.

“The students and staff were required to follow the lockdown procedure, which includes locking the room and pulling down blinds, then keeping out of sight of windows.

“Police reported a 15-year-old had been arrested.”

Mr Smith also said the lockdown drills were undertaken before the shooting at a primary school in Texas.

“I can confirm this was before the incident in Texas,” he said.

A total of 21 people died – including 19 children – during the massacre at Robb Elementary School in the city of Uvalde.

The 18-year-old had a handgun, an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and high-capacity magazines, investigators say.

The teenager is suspected of shooting his grandmother before the rampage.

Among those who paid tribute after the shooting was the Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan Markle laid flowers at the site of the shooting in a personal capacity as a mother, her spokesperson said.

Following the incident in Sussex, a police spokesman said: "Just after 12.15pm on Monday, police received a report that a threat to The Priory School in Lewes had been posted on social media.

"A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and has since been released under investigation.

“We can confirm we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident.

“No one at the school was harmed.”