Several schools in Essex are currently on lock down as police launch a major manhunt. Leverton Primary School and other schools in the Waltham Abbey area have reported been locked down for the safety of staff and pupils.

Yesterday, a different school in Loughton was broken into by a man police confirmed was an asylum seeker. The man was arrested after officers attended the scene at Davenant School but he failed to show up to court.

The same man was then reportedly spotted near Leverton Primary School, in Waltham Abbey, on Thursday morning. The school was put into lockdown while some children were taken home by parents.

Police are searching a wooded area near the school. Some residents have also turned out to express their concern.

A local woman said: "I'm not a parent from this school. I've just come here to show support and show solidarity."

She added: "The head teacher I believe from here called because it was alarming that she already knew of this man. The helicopter's been up and they're still looking for him.

"If you go down the road, there's multiple police in the forest trying to find him. Why is he still going to the schools?"

The woman also said the head teacher of Leverton Primary School has been "asking for police presence for the last two weeks". However, the force reportedly told her there isn't enough resources available.

She continued: "It's unacceptable and something's got to stop."

Concern is growing among people in Waltham Abbey this morning. Some children have reportedly been taken home from Leverton Primary School as a precaution.

One man said: "At a bare minimum, I think the police should be outside these schools in the local areas, especially where there's these hotels.

"Who's doing the safeguarding regarding these hotels? Who thinks it's such a bright idea to drop 100, 200 or X amount of unidentified men into an areas where there's all these primary schools and secondary schools?"

Davenant Foundation School, where the man was spotted and arrested on Wednesday, is located around 4.5 miles (a 12 minute drive) from Leverton Primary School in Waltham Abbey.

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Multiple UK schools locked down after cops launch major manhunt