Men armed with cutlasses attacked students at the Lodge Community High School on Wednesday and fear escalated yesterday when several suspicious men were spotted in the compound resulting in the police being contacted.

Amidst concerns over their safety while on the premises teachers yesterday downed tools and according to reports reaching this newspaper an emergency meeting has been planned to address the situation.

This newspaper was unable to get a comment from the Ministry of Education on the situation at the school.

A source close to the school told this newspaper yesterday that security is the biggest issue as the perpetrators are gaining entry to the compound through holes in the back fence.

The source recalled that on Wednesday several students were attacked while at a building housing the washrooms but it is unclear if the men managed to relieve the students of any valuables.

This newspaper was told that around 10 am yesterday, four strange men were spotted in the compound and the police were alerted. However, by the time they arrived, the man had fled.

The source explained to this newspaper that one of the holes is big enough for a bicycle to pass through and it is hard to see when anyone is passing through it since the sanitary block is in front of it.

Asked if the holes could be repaired, the source said that would not make sense as more holes will be made.

The source was adamant that more security guards need to be placed at the learning institution during the day and night. There is only one guard on duty during the day and she is stationed at the front of the school. At night, two guards are on duty.

This newspaper was told that this situation recently started and everyone at the school is fearful including teachers who could become targets.

This source said that education officials were contacted and visits were made on Tuesday and then again yesterday.

Within the last week, several toy guns were seized from students of all ages and according to the source at least two persons were injured by pellets from the toys. It was after this occurred, the source said, that officials at the school made spot checks on students and more of the toys were found.

These finds were reported to the police who have advised that the toy guns along with the names and addresses of the students be handed over as it is an offence to have these toys.

However, yesterday this newspaper saw one of the students with one such toy in his hand a few corners away from the school.