Armed police respond to reported hostage situation at Abbeyfield School in Northampton
Police say they responded swiftly to reports of masked men with knives entering the school, triggering an emergency lockdown
Last updated 9th May 2025
Armed police were called to Abbeyfield School in Northampton today, Friday, May 9, after reports of a potential hostage situation. The incident, which occurred shortly after 2:15pm, led to an emergency lockdown at the school.
Reports suggested that a group of masked men carrying knives had entered the school. In response, police swiftly deployed firearms officers and a helicopter to the scene. A search of the school followed.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police stated: “We deployed firearms officers within minutes of the report coming into us. Following a search of the school, we can confirm that nobody has been taken hostage, nobody has suffered any injuries, no weapons have been recovered, and nobody has been arrested in connection with any offences.”
The police also reassured the school community and local residents, saying, “While we understand this was a deeply upsetting turn of events, we would like to reassure members of the school community and those living within the immediate vicinity of the school that police are not treating this as a terrorism-related incident. Officers are still at the school, but are expected to be stood down shortly.”
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting reference 298 of 09/05/2025.