Parents urged not to be concerned at “minor incident”

Geraldton Police have asked parents not to be overly concerned after Nagle Catholic College went into lockdown briefly after an incident today.

Principal Rob Crothers said there was a “minor incident” at the college during recess where a number of unauthorised people attempted to enter school grounds.

“Staff on duty raised the alarm, while they continued to monitor the situation,” he said.

“The college initiated its lockdown procedure as a precautionary measure.”

Mr Crothers said students had participated in a lockdown trial this term to ensure they were familiar with the process.

“The Geraldton Police were contacted and arrived shortly after,” he said.

“The students were able to continue on to their Period 4 class after the ‘all clear’ was given.

“While it was an unfortunate disruption, the students responded well and were soon able to resume their normal lessons.”

Geraldton police Sergeant Mark Swain said there was “probably nothing in it”.

“Three fellas who don’t belong there went there to have it out with a student yesterday,” he said.

“There was no fight, they had a verbal altercation, and one student said he thinks one of them had a knife.

“We mounted a serious response just in case.”

Sergeant Swain said no knife had been seen today.

“I am not trying to downplay the incident but people are playing it safe,” he said.

“I don’t think there‘s anything in it but it is prudent to step up patrols.”