Armed police were sent to Tolworth Girls’ School after reports a man with a firearm was seen on the field.

A man was seen on the field by builders on Friday, September 29, and is assumed to have gained access from Tolworth Recreation Ground.

The school was immediately locked down, and police were called at 1.37pm.

Siobhan Lowe, headteacher, said: “At no time was the man able to get access to our main site. All the students were safe. We have a protocol which was in effect within a minute.

“We immediately contacted the police and locked down the school as a precaution.”

Mrs Lowe let parents know what had happened at the end of the day, after ensuring all students were safely escorted off the premises.

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called shortly before 1.40pm to a report of a man seen in possession of a firearm in Fullers Way North.

She said: “Local officers attended with armed officers. A search was conducted and there was no trace of this man.

“No one was reported injured, and there have been no arrests.”