Welsh school in lockdown with two air ambulances at scene of major police incident

A Welsh high school is on lockdown with a massive emergency service response at the scene. Multiple people with children and family members in Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, were initially told to stay in classrooms.

Students were reportedly asked not to use their phones. Two air ambulances were at the scene, one from Welshpool and one from Caernarfon. Four road ambulances, paramedics and numerous police vehicles attended, along with the Welsh Ambulance Service's hazardous area response team. A total of three critical care teams were deployed to the incident.

Worried parents reported a large police presence around the school and eyewitnesses said two air ambulances landed close by. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he was "shocked" to hear the news. On X, he wrote: "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."

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There were reports locally of a stabbing but this has not been confirmed by any official sources. There has been confirmation from police that three people have been injured. One person told Walesonline that the incident involved two girls before two staff intervened.

The school has approximately 1,450 pupils on roll at its large campus, with another 270 sixth formers. David Llywelyn, who lives opposite the school, told S4C News: "Something serious has happened. What I see is two air ambulances on the school field and two ambulance incident support units - there are up to 10 police cars here.

"Up to five or six ambulances have arrived. The police came about three-quarters of an hour ago. A lot of cars have now arrived at the site - something serious is going on."

A local on Facebook posted: "Multiple people with children and family members in Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford have said they have been told to stay in classrooms, with students reportedly asked not to use their phones."

One parent said: "This is a quiet area and a nice school with a good community. We just can't figure out what has gone on. My daughter saw an air ambulance land outside. It is unbelievable."

Dyfed-Powys Police have now issued a statement. Police said: "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 the people do not speculate while there is a police investigation ongoing."

Carmarthenshire Council said that family members of the three injured individuals have been informed. It wanted to reassure parents and the public that the incident has been contained by Dyfed-Powys Police.

The school's chair of governors, Cllr David Jenkins, told WalesOnline he was shocked by the incident, which he said was out of character for the usually "happy school". He'd tried to attend the school this morning but could not get access because it was in lockdown.

After speaking to the headteacher by phone, he'd been assured emergency procedures had swung into action. He said: "This was out of the blue. I am shocked and surprised because it is a happy school and we've had no problems of this kind before.

"I spoke to the head by phone while police were there. He confirmed the situation and said it was contained. He assured me the injured parties were sent to hospital but I do not know how serious the injuries were."

A former pupil, who has a niece and nephew at the school, spoke to WalesOnline. She said the community was in shock and she "wouldn’t feel safe if they went back to school tomorrow or for the rest of the week".

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, First Minister Vaughan Gething said it was a "deeply worrying" time for all involved. UK Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, also had his say on X: "Awful news coming from Ammanford. My thoughts are with parents, teachers and staff at the school and all of the students. Grateful to the emergency services who are responding."

In plenary at the Senedd this afternoon, Plaid Cymru's Dwyfor Meirionydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor called today's events an "appalling incident". He raised the incident in a topical question about Wales Air Ambulance bases in Caernarfon and Welshpool being closed - a decision announced yesterday. Two air ambulances attended today's incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.

Carmarthenshire Councillor Rob James posted on social media to say: "My thoughts are with the Headteacher, teaching staff, parents and pupils of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman after today’s major incident. I have been in contact with Carmarthenshire Council and will provide any support I can to the school during this difficult time."

This is a breaking story and it will be updated.