'My stepdaughter hid in fear during college lockdown'

A woman said she went "into panic mode" when she discovered her stepdaughter's college had been placed into lockdown.

Stacey Cook said the girl was left "very scared" at Coventry College on Tuesday and hid under a table following an incident opposite the campus at Swan Delights Supermarket and Café.

West Midlands Police said armed officers were called to Swanswell Street where they found an imitation firearm. Two men, both 18, and two boys, 17 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm. They have since been released on bail while inquiries continue.

Cook said she first learned of the situation through social media, leaving her desperately trying to contact her stepdaughter.

"When I saw it on Facebook I went straight into panic mode, trying to get hold of my stepdaughter to make sure she was safe because no one knew what was going on...," she said.

"[She] said she was pushed into a classroom and told to get under a table, the lights went out and she was very scared.

"She came home and she was very shaken," she added.

Cook said that the girl found out why it had happened via Snapchat, and that the college "had not told us anything about what had happened".

Gemma Knott, vice principal at the college, said lockdown procedures were implemented as a precaution and that the safety of students, staff and visitors "is always our foremost concern".

"Once we became aware of the situation, we acted quickly in accordance with our procedures and remained in close contact with the emergency services throughout as a precautionary measure," she said.

She added that the college had since communicated with parents and learners to reinforce lockdown procedures, thank them for their cooperation and provide guidance for anyone affected by the events.

Cook said the experience had been upsetting for both hers and her step-daughter, and that other parents had also expressed concerns following the incident.

Monica Whistler, a manager at the college, said students, parents or staff with concerns should raise them through the appropriate channels.

West Midlands Police added that the investigation remained ongoing and that extra patrols had been deployed in the area.

The force said: "We understand how concerning this incident has been for students and their parents.

"This was an isolated incident and the weapon recovered was an imitation firearm."

Police urged anyone with information or concerns to contact officers.

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