TWO youths have been detained by police and an air rifle seized following an incident outside a Newton Aycliffe school.

Greenfield School went into lockdown at around 9am on Wednesday when reports came in of three youths, believed to be armed with an air rifle, outside the grounds on Greenfield Way.

Police attended and pupils were kept in classrooms all morning as a precautionary measure.

Officers confirmed no one had been injured and all pupils were safe.

Police outside Greenfield School. Picture: Sarah Caldecott

At midday the school was given the all clear by police and children have now been allowed to leave the classrooms.

Executive headteacher David Priestley told The Northern Echo: "Nothing at all has happened in school.

"There has been an incident outside of school.

"The police have responded to it and investigated.

"We judged it posed a minor threat so we have kept them (pupils) inside until the police have assured us they have dealt with the incident and until there was no threat of danger to the children.

"They have had access to toilets if they have wanted and have been with the same teachers all morning.

"We followed our procedures to keep everybody safe.

"We have had the all clear from the police that they have contained the incident in the community.

"Everything has been very calm and orderly and everybody managed the situation very well."

Children have returned to classes and no police remain at the school.