A GREENOCK school has been placed into emergency lockdown this afternoon after a man being pursued by police entered its grounds.

Inverclyde Academy was sealed off for a period of time as the incident unfolded.

It is understood that the suspect was not armed, but that the school was placed in special measures as a precaution.

The man - who had earlier evaded police - ran into the school grounds shortly before 1pm this afternoon.

He had been stopped by officers on Inverkip Road before giving them the slip and escaping.

The police pursuit continued to within the perimeter of the school in Cumberland Road and he was eventually apprehended nearby.

Police Scotland were forced to alert the school who put measures in place to keep pupils and staff safe.

Inverclyde education chiefs confirmed that pupils were kept in during the incident.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 12.45pm on Thursday, 25 April, 2024, officers stopped a man in Inverkip Road, Greenock.

"He ran from police into the grounds of a high school in Cumberland Road and was subsequently traced by officers nearby."

Police insisted there was no threat or risk to the school or the wider community.

A spokesperson for Inverclyde Council said: "Pupils were kept within the school for a short period of time due to a police incident, part of which took place within the school grounds.

“The school co-operated with Police Scotland and followed all appropriate protocols and there was no risk to the staff or pupils."

Police said that a 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and enquiries are ongoing.