A SOUTHAMPTON headteacher has praised his staff for saving a pupil threatened at knifepoint by a person wearing a balaclava.

Parents at Redbridge Community School have been urged to be on the alert after a 12-year-old boy was threatened in Cuckmere Lane this morning. 

His alleged assailant is said to have demanded his bike before adults intervened and he fled the scene. 

Headteacher, Jason Ashley, has since "paid tribute to the excellent members of staff" who dealt with the situation.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, he said: “We are 100 per cent confident it was not one of our students.”

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He said that the balaclava-wearing individual had made threats to adults in the Kendall Avenue area and that when a school parent said something to him, she was followed.

The masked assailant tried to steal a motorbike in Cuckmere Lane which he then pushed over, he added.

However, Mr Ashley stressed that “there was no risk to any students or staff members. It was dealt with very effectively.”

Earlier today, he shared a letter with parents saying he did not wish to worry or alarm them.

However, he urged them "to be alert, report to us any issues and ensure that your son/daughter walks home in groups".

The Daily Echo has contacted Hampshire police for information. 

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