Panic as school is under 'lockdown' with terrified students 'hiding under desks' after pupil 'received threatening messages' - as police arrest teenage boy

Panic has erupted as a school has been placed under 'partial lockdown' with petrified students 'hiding under desks' after a pupil 'received threatening messages', with police arresting a teenage boy.

Police have been attending Ebbw Fawr Learning Community in Ebbw Vale, Wales, since around 10:20am.

A spokesperson for Gwent Police has confirmed that a teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of making threats.

It is understood that the suspect is not a 'learner' at the school and the arrest did not take place on school grounds and was not in the Ebbw Vale area.

He was searched upon his arrest and no offensive weapons were found on his person.

Parents of the students have been sent text messages from the school and some have turned up at the school gates.

The first text message read: 'Dear parents/carers - the school is in a partial lockdown. During this period the telephones and entrances will be unmanned, external doors locked and nobody allowed in or out.'

The second said: 'Dear parents/carers - There is no risk inside the building. Police have arrived. All students are safe in classrooms and all doors and access points to the school are locked. Thank you for your understanding.' 

Gwent Police told MailOnline: 'We received a call to report that the secondary campus to Ebbw Fawr Learning Community had been placed in partial lockdown at around 10.20am on Friday 26 April after a teenage pupil had allegedly received threatening messages.

'Our officers are in attendance.

'We have arrested a teenage boy on suspicion of making threats.

'The arrest did not take place on school premises and was not made in the Ebbw Vale area.

'Our enquiries are ongoing.'

Officers remain on the premises, reassuring concerned parents and liaising with the school. 

This latest incident comes after two teachers and a pupil sustained stab wounds at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on Wednesday.

A 13-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and appeared before Llanelli Magistrates' Court on Friday.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as new information comes in.