Colchester school boy 'brandished knife' on first day back

Police are investigating the incident, which took place at Colchester Academy at about 9.30am on Thursday.

It is alleged that a boy was carrying a knife in a corridor and rushed towards another pupil.

The pupil ran into a full classroom and told a teacher, who reportedly forcibly held the door against the boy with the knife before he was detained.

No injuries have been reported.

Kim Naish, the grandfather of the boy targeted, said the incident has left the family deeply shaken.

Mr Naish said: “It happened in the school building. He was walking along the corridor.”

Colchester Academy sent a letter to parents saying an incident had taken place, and that everything was under control and children were safe.

Mr Naish said: “They didn’t elaborate any more on what it was.”

Shock - The family have been shaken by the incident

The mother of the targeted boy, who wished to remain anonymous, said she received a call from the school shortly after the incident and praised their response.

She said: "The school looked after him really well.

"I don’t think he understands how bad it could have been.

"I could’ve have been going to the morgue that day."

However, she expressed concern that parents had not been informed about the incident.

She said: "Parents who know my son are all worried because no one was informed of the incident.

"Parents are saying surely the school should’ve gone into lockdown."

She also said she was frustrated after not receiving an update from Essex Police several days later.

The mother said: “I am just walking on eggshells. I don’t know anything.”

Police - Essex Police has allocated the investigation to a specialist Children and Young Persons officer (Image: Essex Police)

A spokesperson for Colchester Academy said: “Following an isolated incident last week, staff took immediate action with the situation being swiftly brought under control and contained. Everyone remained safe and the school day was able to continue as normal.

“We treated the matter extremely seriously, including liaising with the authorities and communicating with students and parents as we were able while enquiries were being undertaken.

“We have been following our robust safeguarding procedures, with all appropriate action taken. The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our absolute priority."

The Gazette understands the boy with the knife has been removed from the school.

Following enquiries from the Gazette, the mother was contacted by police on Monday afternoon.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating an incident involving a pupil at Colchester Academy.

“This was reported to have taken place at around 9.30am on Thursday, September 3.

“No injuries were reported.

“The school took immediate action to safeguard those involved and the pupil alleged to be responsible was removed from the school environment while enquiries continue.

“We understand incidents of this nature will cause concern among parents, pupils and the wider school community.

“Essex Police works closely with schools across the county through our dedicated Children and Young Persons officers, whose role is to safeguard young people, address concerns at an early stage and help prevent them becoming involved in harmful or criminal behaviour.

“This investigation has been allocated to one of those officers, who is working with the school and will maintain contact with the affected family as enquiries continue.”