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Unspecified threat leads to lockdown at Dover Bay Secondary in Nanaimo

Dover Bay Secondary School in Nanaimo was under lockdown Friday due to “an unspecified threat” directed at the school and its students.
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Dover Bay Secondary in Nanaimo.

Dover Bay Secondary School in Nanaimo was under lockdown Friday due to “an unspecified threat” directed at the school and its students.

The high school and nearby McGirr Elementary School were both placed under a hold-and-secure alert, which involves locking exterior doors while school activities proceed as normal inside, on Friday morning.

Police said the lockdown at Dover Bay was subsequently put in place “out of an abundance of caution” after they received additional information.

In a lockdown, all normal school activities cease. Students and staff gather in secure rooms, close doors, turn off lights and silence cellphones.

The lockdown and hold-and-secure were lifted at about 2 p.m.

Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Gary O’Brien said police won’t say what the threat is or how it was received.

Police officers were present inside and outside both schools during the incident.

O’Brien said the decision to have officers at the schools was made after consulting with the school board.

“The safety and security of staff and students at both facilities is paramount,” he said.