STUDENTS were left panicked after a "person with a knife" sparked a lockdown at their college.
Armed police rushed to Barton Peveril Sixth Form College yesterday afternoon after reports that a person carrying a knife was seen inside.
A student says she hid behind some chairs "uninformed of the situation for an hour".
She said: "We put a computer trolley against the door and closed the blinds then we hid behind some chairs uninformed of the situation for an hour.
"We saw armed police and vans, and we heard screaming and crying. I couldn’t contact my parents... I was scared and left alone."
One parent said her daughter was left "very worried" after being locked in a room.
Another parent, who did not want to be identified, told the Echo: "[My daughter] raced to her classroom and was put into lockdown.
"She sat on the floor with the lights out and the door locked. Armed police were roaming the building."
Resident, Andrew White, 64, said an unmarked police car, four police cars and one van were parked in Chestnut Avenue at the height of the incident.
He said: "I don't know whether they caught them but the police were in there trying to see if they could find any evidence.
"I've never seen so many police cars down this road before. We've never seen anything like it."
Police were called at 2.20pm. No injuries were reported and no weapon was located.
Principal Rob Temple said staff followed "lockdown procedures" and the incident was "isolated".
READ MORE: Principal releases statement after police called to college
He told the Daily Echo: "We are aware that there was an incident at the back of the college this afternoon.
"We followed our lockdown procedures to ensure the safety of our college community.
"The police have reassured us that this was an isolated incident and the college campus is safe.
"Lessons are now continuing as planned and the college is open as normal tomorrow."
A spokesperson from the force said: "We were called at 2.20pm today, 9 March, to Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh after reports of a person with a knife inside the grounds.
"Officers attended and worked with staff at the school, at this time no injuries have been reported and no weapon has been located.
"We are investigating to establish the exact circumstances of the report."
Anyone has any information is asked to call 101 quoting crime reference 44230095510.
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