STUDENTS were held in the school grounds of a college in Holsworthy this afternoon after reports were received that an individual was "making threats" on the nearby Victoria Hill.

Officers were notified at around 3pm, just before students were due to leave Holsworthy Community College at home-time.

The college took advice from the police and notified parents that students would not be permitted to leave the school building while investigations were underway for their safety. School buses were also postponed.

Holsworthy Community College informed parents via text at 3.30pm that students were “being held in the school building” whilst assessments of the situation were undertaken by police.

It said: “We are currently assessing a risk in the wider community so students are being held in the school building.

“Further details will follow as soon as we can confirm. School buses are being held. We are acting on police advice so currently cannot release any students to leave the site of be collected.”

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson has confirmed: “Police were notified at around 3pm today to reports of an individual making threats on Victoria Hill.

“Officers attended the scene and are speaking to an individual to establish the circumstances around the report.”

The spokesperson later added that no identification of any weapons/knife had been made in connection to these reports.