A HEADTEACHER has issued an update after armed police were spotted near a Leigh school.

Essex Police were called to Ronald Hill Grove, in Leigh, near West Leigh Junior and Infant School, at around 8am.

This was after they received a call from a “partner organisation who reported concerns relating to the welfare of a man who was making threats”.

Armed police responded quickly and attended the area, conducting a widespread search.

Essex Police later reassured the community that “no threats to the wider public have been identified” and it is “not related to the junior school or other businesses”.

West Leigh Junior School has since confirmed “no threats were made to the school” and “lessons carried on”. However, they were asked by police to “keep pupils inside for the short time this incident was occurring”.

Cheryl Woolf, executive headteacher at West Leigh Junior School, said: This morning, we were alerted by the police of an incident near to the school.

“We were unaware of what the incident was but can confirm that no threats were made to the school. “Children were unaware of any problems other than the police presence surrounding the school.

“We were guided and supported by the police and had the safety of our school community as our key priority.

“We followed the advice of the police and lessons carried on, but we were asked to keep the pupils inside for the short time this incident was occurring. “We are grateful for the police presence and for keeping us and our community safe from this incident, which was not related to the school.

“The children and staff have all been spoken to and no one is upset or excessively worried by the events of the morning.

“We worked closely together to ensure the safety of the children across the West Leigh site. Once the police had stood down, we were able to return to our normal day.”