A PERTH school had to be locked down and a nearby shop shut for several hours during a police incident on Wednesday.
Officers were called to the Oakbank area of the city on Wednesday morning and a 40-year-old man has since been arrested following reports of an armed robbery.
The Scotmid Co-op on West Mains Avenue was also shut for more than two hours while The Courier reports that locals said they could see a significant police presence in the area near Oakbank Primary School – about a mile away.
Pupils and staff were kept indoors as the incident was dealt with.
Police have yet to confirm the nature of the investigation and whether or not it was linked to any incident at the shop.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “All pupils and staff (at Oakbank) were kept inside the school as a precaution this morning due to a police incident.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further on a live investigation.”
We are aware that there has been an incident this morning in the Oakbank area causing concern in the local community. Police have informed us this incident has been brought to a conclusion.
— Perth High School (@PerthHighSchool) June 14, 2023
A tweet from Perth High School said: “We are aware that there has been an incident this morning in the Oakbank area causing concern in the local community.
“Police have informed us this incident has been brought to a conclusion.”
The Scotmid Co-op remained shut until 11am.
One local told how the police presence was “unusual for the area” as it’s normally “quiet”.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.40am on Wednesday, 14 June, 2023, officers received a report of an attempted robbery at a premises on West Mains Avenue, Perth.
“A 40-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident."
A Scotmid spokesperson said: “All staff were shaken by the events that took place earlier today. They are receiving full support. We are working with Police Scotland as they investigate the incident.”
