A MAN arrested over an alleged machete incident outside a school has been released on bail.

Armed police rushed to Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (Baca) at 3pm on Thursday to guard the school gates in Lewes Road.

Pupils were locked inside their classrooms and officers worked to secure the area as a helicopter joined the hunt for the suspect.

The Argus:

The police escorted the pupils off the school’s premises at about 4.20pm while the search continued.

RECAP on this story: Updates as school goes into lockdown and police launch helicopter search

The children were told to avoid the woodland area while officers – assisted by a helicopter – continued the search for the suspect.

The Argus:

Following the incident, one pupil at the school contacted The Argus to praise the school for its response.

“I was one of the Year 9’s stuck in class, and our teacher lifted our spirits by playing ‘Let it go’ on full volume,” the pupil said. “I just wanted to put it out how amazingly the teachers dealt with it.”

Yesterday, a parent praised principal Bob Speight Speight – and all other staff – for doing “an amazing job”.

The Argus:

Brighton and Hove Divisional Commander Nick May said: "Thank you to the pupils, staff and parents at the school for their understanding. Our first priority is always public safety.

Now police have confirmed that a 24-year-old man from Brighton who was arrested has been released on strict bail conditions until October 14 while the force's investigation continues.