A school in south-west Wales has been locked down after three people were injured in an incident and one person was arrested, police have said.
Dyfed-Powys police said in a statement they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at Amman Valley school in Ammanford.
Emergency services remain at scene and the school has closed while the investigations continue. Air Ambulance helicopters were reported to be present.
Local reports said that the victims were injured by stabbing and that among those hurt was at least one member of staff.
The first minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, said on X that he was shocked by the serious incident. “A deeply worrying time for the school, families and community. Diolch (Thank you) to first responders,” he added.
Shocked to hear news of serious incident in Rhydaman. Newyddion ofnadwy am ddigwyddiad difrifol yn Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
A deeply worrying time for the school, families and community. Diolch to first responders. Dw i’n meddwl am y gymuned wrth i ni geisio canfod mwy o wybodaeth.
— Vaughan Gething 🏴 (@PrifWeinidog) April 24, 2024
The UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, expressed shock over the incident. Sunak, who is in Berlin, Germany, posted on X: “Shocked at the news emerging from Ammanford today. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response and my thoughts are with all those affected.”
Shocked at the news emerging from Ammanford today.
I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response and my thoughts are with all those affected.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 24, 2024
The home secretary, James Cleverly, said his thoughts were with the people affected. Cleverly, who is in Lampedusa, southern Italy, posted on X: “I am being kept informed about the events in Ammanford, Wales. My thoughts are with the school and all those involved. I want to thank the police & emergency service for their ongoing response. It is important they are given the space to carry out their investigations.”
Dyfed-Powys police said in a statement: “Dyfed-Powys police is dealing with an incident at Amman Valley school. Three people have been injured and are receiving treatment. One person has been arrested and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. Emergency services remain at scene and the school has been closed while investigations continue.
“We are working closely with the school and Carmarthenshire county council. We are aware that there is footage of the incident currently circulating on social media. We would ask that this is removed to avoid contempt of court and distress to those affected. We would ask people, do not speculate while there is a police investigation ongoing.”
Social media posts from the scene showed a heavy police presence as well as a large number of people waiting outside the school gates. Other footage showed the air ambulance helicopters taking off from the school grounds.
Amman Valley school, also known as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, is a bilingual and mixed-gender comprehensive school with about 2,000 pupils. It is known for the sporting prowess of its alumni, who include the Welsh rugby international Shane Williams, the English rugby international Harry Randall, and Hannah Jones and Jac Morgan, two captains of Wales rugby teams.