A school was locked down while police dealt with an incident that led to three girls being arrested, it has been revealed.  

Officers were called to Cromwell Community College, in Chatteris, at around lunchtime yesterday (Thursday) to reports the girls were refusing to leave the school grounds.  

The girls, from March, were not Cromwell students. Two are aged 13 and the other is 12.

One of the 13-year-olds and the 12-year-old were arrested on suspicion of assault and trespassing.  

The other 13-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of assault, criminal damage and trespassing. 

In a message later sent to parents, executive headteacher Jane Horn said “various rumours including attacks and the carrying of knives is not an accurate report”.  

She said: “For clarification, there were a group of young people who came into college uninvited.  

“The police were called and because it was so close to lunchtime they asked that we keep the children in classrooms for a short while as it would be easier to apprehend the uninvited children.  

“This was successfully achieved and they were taken away.”  

She explained she was unable to disclose further details of the incident because it is now a police matter.  

To reassure parents, Ms Horn said: “I can tell you that staff took swift and decisive action and whilst I fully understand this may have caused concern to pupils, please be assured that this has been dealt with most firmly. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the pupils of Cromwell who were very sensible and supportive of staff during the day and it reiterates what a fantastic community we have here at Cromwell.” 

Last night, a Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson confirmed there were no reports of a weapon involved. 

He said: “We were called to Cromwell Community College in Chatteris at 12.28pm with reports that three students, who are not pupils at the college, had entered school grounds and were refusing to leave.    

“Three girls from March have been arrested in connection with the incident and remain in custody.   

“A 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of assault and trespassing.   

 “A 13-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assault, criminal damage and trespassing.”  

In a statement released to the press this morning (Friday), Ms Horn again summarised key details of the incident.  

She added: “We thank our staff and students for their patience as the matter was dealt with.” 

The school declined to comment on whether its current security measures will be reviewed in light of the incident.