NT Police confirm Rosebery Middle School locked down after fight between youths

NT Police have removed students from a school in Palmerston after reports of fighting on campus. LATEST DETAILS.

Rosebery Middle School.

A Palmerston-based school was plunged into “lockdown” after a fight broke out – with local social media pages awash with now debunked rumours of a student brandishing a machete on campus.

NT Police attended Rosebery Middle School, part of Palmerston College, at about 11.50am on Friday, after receiving reports of students fighting on campus.

As a result two students were taken into the care of “responsible adults”.

NT Police said while rumours had circulated that a student had possession of a machete on campus, this was not actually the case.

“Members of the public are encouraged to refer to official channels for accurate and reliable information, rather than relying on unofficial sources,” a police spokesman said.

Northern Territory Police. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A parent of a child at neighbouring school, Rosebery Primary, said their school did not go into lockdown.

“I found out on social media that the school next to my kids’ was in lockdown, hours after it happened,” she said.

“I send my kids (to school) every day to be safe, not to be reading things on social media like this.”

“As parents, we should be informed.”

Another witness, who was on Belyuen Rd when the incident unfolded, said they saw three police cars arrive at the school.

On Friday afternoon, a Department of Education spokeswoman confirmed the lockdown was triggered by a group which had entered school grounds.

“The lockdown was initiated when a group of youths came to the school and were causing significant disruption,” she said.

“In line with protocols, police were called and a lockdown initiated.”

The spokeswoman said the lockdown was in effect for no more than hour and that no one was harmed.

“Students and staff were not harmed and no weapons were involved,” she said.

“The wellbeing of our students is our priority and the department and our schools will not tolerate violence or inappropriate behaviour.”

Originally published as NT Police confirm Rosebery Middle School locked down after fight between youths