Perth school in lockdown after ‘armed’ motorcyclist spotted in the area

A school has been plunged into lockdown following reports of an armed motorcyclist in the area.

A school has gone into lockdown in Perth’s east while police investigate reports of a suspicious man riding a motorbike in the area who could be armed with a gun.

Police received a report the man in Stratton was acting suspiciously riding a black, red and white off-road dirt bike with his face covered about 11am on Monday.

“Police received unconfirmed reports the man may be in possession of a firearm,” a police spokeswoman added.

“A number of police resources are being deployed to the area to locate the individual.”

A text message sent to parents of students at St Anthony’s School in Greenmount said a school had gone into lockdown after an incident “in the local community”.

While St Anthony’s is not the school in lockdown, school staff were reportedly taking precautionary measures.

“Please be advised that the children are being kept inside for lunchtime today and the Year 5 cross country event has been postponed. We will advise you by 2.30pm if there are any changes to our current pick up arrangements,” the text message said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444.

The incident occurred days after Atlantis Beach Baptist College in Two Rocks was forced into lockdown after a 15-year-old boy allegedly arrived at school two firearms and fired three shots at a classroom.

Atlantis Beach Baptist College in Two Rocks was locked down last week.

Speaking to media last Wednesday afternoon, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the teenager is believed to be a former student of the college, and to have fired three shots.

He said “very young” students were among those who called triple-0 after the shots were heard, and that those who called provided “great detail”.

Police have arrested the teenager and seized two firearms, both rifles, from a black four-wheel-drive vehicle which they allege he drove to the school.

“We’ve found three shells, we believe three shots were fired, and at least one of them hit a school building,” Commissioner Blanch said.

“It really shocked me that this has occurred in Western Australia, but what I’m really pleased about is the response from the school and the response from the community,” he said.

“This is one of the most rarest incidents in Australia … I truly believe this is a rare incident, and a one-off.”

Originally published as Perth school in lockdown after ‘armed’ motorcyclist spotted in the area