Auckland school is forced into a real lockdown after practicing earlier in the day

Ōrakei School decided to practice a lockdown today, but the police told him to enter a real one shortly after noon.

Police told the school to close the building as a precaution after there were allegations that a man had threatened to carry a firearm in the area.

It comes after four West Auckland schools were forced to close after police received a report about a person’s well-being. Officers responded by searching the area with firearms as a precaution.

When asked if the school had practiced a lockdown before being forced into a real one, a woman working in the school’s office confirmed that it had.

The school’s principal, Michael Earl, said that online everyone involved did “extremely well” and followed instructions.

Earl says everyone is safe and numbered, with a notice to parents tonight with more information on lockdown procedures.

A police spokesman says they were notified of a man acting suspiciously on Sudeley St, next to the school in Ōrakei after noon.

“Information received by the police suggested that the man had made threats that he was carrying a firearm,” he said.

“As a precautionary measure, the nearby Ōrakei school was closed, which ended up being for a very short period of time. Police attended the area and located the man.

“The police have spoken with this man and we have established that he was not in possession of a firearm.”

The man was arrested and is assisting the police with their investigations.

Kelston Boys High School, Kelston Girls College, Kelston Intermediate School and St Leonards Rd School were closed Tuesday afternoon.

“Police initially had information that there were concerns for the welfare of a person near Kelston and that a firearm may have been involved,” says Acting Commander for the Waitematā West area, Inspector John Thornley.

“Police located the subject of this report, a compressed air pistol was located and the matter was referred to Youth Aid.