Parents have praised the quick actions of a primary school after it went into lockdown.
Merseyside Police confirmed officers were in attendance at St Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School in Kirkby today. It was reported to police at around 3.15pm that there was a dispute between a group of men outside the school.
One parent told the ECHO that the school's shutters came down and "no kids were coming out" as he waited for his child to finish. He said: "Some of the parents were in proper floods of tears. He added: "It was unnerving because I was separated from the kids."
READ MORE: Parents in 'floods of tears' as primary school goes into lockdown
Since the ECHO published the news, other parents on social media have praised the school, teachers and staff for their quick response. Writing on the ECHO's Facebook page Ashleigh Richards said: "I think it’s an incredible quick response from the school to keep every child safe."
Helen Byrne added: "I would like to fully echo any appreciation for the teachers and staff at Saints Peter and Paul School today. After a terrible scare for everyone, they acted so quickly and their only priority was to keep those children safe.
"It was a genuinely terrifying experience not knowing what was going on and mixed messages everywhere but they shut that school down and made sure as many parents were in and safe as possible. That must of been such a tough and scary day for them and I cannot thank them enough.
"I’m still struggling to take it in, but our kids were safe in your hands and for that we THANK YOU!"
Shaun N Debbie McGuinness also said: "As a parent who witnessed this unnerving ordeal first hand I'd like to highly commend each and every staff member for doing an amazing job at keeping the kids safe and calm and for how quickly they reacted to the situation.
"When I reached my daughter's classroom (who's eight) she was hiding under her desk, luckily she was completely oblivious as to the reason why it was actually happening. So, again, a massive thank you to all the school staff."
Merseyside Police said patrols attended the school on Moorfield and searched the surrounding area. CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing in the area to establish the full circumstances.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Merseyside Police can confirm that officers are at St Peter and St Paul Primary School in Kirkby today, Friday, October 14. At around 3.15pm It was reported to police that there was a dispute between a group of men outside the school. Patrols attended the school on Moorfield and searched the surrounding area.
"CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing in the area to establish the full circumstances."
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