Wolverhampton school acts quickly after reports of 'gun in backpack' - 15-year-old arrested but 'no danger to staff and students'
A school in Bilston has reassured parents that an incident involving 'prohibited items' being taken onto their grounds has been 'actioned as required'.
Moseley Park Academy, on Holland Road, Bilston, has confirmed that an incident involving a prohibited item being taken onto the school grounds has been dealt with and reported.
The announcement comes after a number of parents received messages from their children reporting that a student had taken 'two guns' into the school, concealed in a backpack.
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Whilst the 'prohibited items' were not identified by the school, they did confirm that 'swift action' was taken to recover the item, and that 'no threat' was posed to staff members or students.
In a letter sent to parents, Mr J Howe, the school's assistant headteacher for inclusion, said: "In order to avoid speculation, we can confirm that there was an incident this morning involving a report that a prohibited item was on the school site.
"Swift action was taken to recover the item, which posed no threat to staff or students." [sic]
The item wasn't directly identified by the school; however, in messages sent to parents, the pupils reported that the incident involved a 'gun', or a number of 'guns'.
Wishing to remain anonymous, one parent said: "Several students witnessed the child pulling two guns out of his bag under police supervision; they said it was a 'pistol' and a 'long one'.
"This is a school that my daughter goes to, and we hadn't been told anything; it's just pupils texting their parents. We are obviously shocked."
The school said safeguarding protocols have been followed in the matter, and that the incident has been 'reported and actioned' as required.
Mr Howe continued: "Safeguarding protocols have been reported and actioned as required.
"We are now liaising with the relevant authorities and can provide reassurance that at no point was any student or staff member in danger."
West Midlands Police have confirmed that a 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm after the gun was seized by officers.
A force spokesperson said: "We were called to reports that a firearm had been brought into a school on Holland Road, Bilston, shortly after 11.10am this morning (Monday).
"The gun was seized by officers, and we are currently assessing the weapon.
"A 15-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and remains in custody.
"Our enquiries are continuing, and we would like to reassure the community that no students or staff were threatened with the weapon, and we do not believe there to be any wider risk to the public."