Armed police descended on a town center in Southwell today, prompting the lockdown of four schools during a rooftop standoff. The incident, which led to a significant emergency response on Queen Street, was initiated by a safety concern report received by Nottinghamshire Police in late morning.
Lowe’s Wong Infant School, Lowe’s Wong Junior School, The Minster School, and the Holy Trinity Church of England Infant School were placed on lockdown for an hour as a precautionary measure, according to the schools’ trust. Following the resolution of the standoff, armed police withdrew from the area, and the road was reopened, with ambulances and firefighters also departing.
Nottinghamshire Police indicated that the incident revolved around safety concerns but refrained from providing further details. Although armed officers were present at the scene, it was not confirmed whether the individual involved was armed. Local residents expressed unease about the situation, emphasizing the desire for a safe environment for children and visitors to Southwell.
A negotiator was observed at the scene as armed police maintained a presence in the town. Emergency services cordoned off sections of the town center due to reports of the standoff between law enforcement and a person on a roof, with firefighters setting up floodlights as dusk approached.
Additional armed police officers arrived at the scene, as indicated by reports from NottinghamshireLive’s correspondent. The ongoing standoff was captured in a new video, illustrating the tense situation as authorities worked to resolve the incident.
The Minster Trust confirmed that the four schools in lockdown had resumed normal operations after the hour-long precautionary measure. Armed police remained on-site for several hours after their initial arrival, with Queen Street remaining closed to facilitate the handling of the situation.
Images depicted a heavy police presence in the town center following the incident, with officers assisting in the evacuation of individuals from buildings within the cordon. Teachers from a nearby school were actively involved in ensuring the safe relocation of children, underscoring the collaborative efforts during the security procedure.
Nottinghamshire Police issued a statement confirming their presence at Queen Street, assuring the public that the incident was isolated and posed no broader risk. The situation was closely monitored, with updates being provided as necessary to address community concerns.