Primary school goes into lockdown following threatening call
Earl Spencer Primary School in Northampton took precautionary measures following a threatening call
Last updated 23rd Sep 2026
A primary school in Northampton went into lockdown following a suspicious call from someone making threats.
Police said the call was made to Earl Spencer Primary School in Streatfield Road just after 11.15am (23 September).
As a result, the school took the precautionary measures to implement its lockdown procedures to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.
Officers attended the scene and found nothing to suggest that the threats made were credible.
An investigation into the phone call is ongoing with Northamptonshire Police stating a potential suspect in another force area has been identified.
A separate incident in Muscott Street is also being investigated.
At around 3.10pm (23 September), a member of the public reported they had seen a man with a suspected firearm.
Armed officers were deployed to the area and two men aged 57 and 19 were arrested in connection with the incident.
The firearm was seized and upon examination, turned out to be a toy gun.
Chief Inspector Nic Davis-Lyons said: "We fully appreciate that today's incidents will have caused concern among parents, residents and the wider community. However, I would like to reassure everyone that, following our enquiries, there is nothing at this time to suggest that these two incidents were linked in any way. They were entirely separate events which, very unfortunately, occurred within a mile of each other on the same day.
"The second incident resulted in a further lockdown as a precaution while armed officers responded and established the circumstances of the report. This was the right and appropriate course of action, and these procedures worked exactly as intended to keep pupils, staff and the wider school community safe.
"Most importantly, throughout both incidents, the safety and wellbeing of children remained our absolute priority. We have worked closely with the school throughout the day, and I would like to thank staff, parents and pupils for their patience, cooperation and understanding. We will continue to provide reassurance in the area while enquiries remain ongoing, but I would stress that there is no ongoing threat to the public."