A jogger may have inadvertently sparked a stranger danger alert at a Perthshire school.
Police were sent to Pitlochry High following reports that a youngster had been “chased” by a man wearing a mask, and wielding some kind of weapon.
Parents were called to collect their children at the end of the afternoon, amid fears the suspect may still be lurking nearby.
Headteacher Elaine Liney wrote to parents, assuring them police were investigating.
Without going into detail of the exact circumstances of the reports, she wrote: “Many thanks for your support in carefully and discreetly managing the situation today.”
However, following an investigation, including a trawl through CCTV footage, police have concluded there was no reason for alarm.
The Courier understands that a jogger, with his face hidden by a scarf, may have simply given the youngster a fright as he walked to lessons.
A force spokesman said: “Police Scotland were notified of an incident involving a schoolboy allegedly being chased in Pitlochry on Thursday morning.
“This has been fully investigated, including having local CCTV checked. We are satisfied that nothing untoward has taken place, and that this has been a false alarm with good intent.”
A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Pitlochry High School staff responded sensitively to a concern raised by a pupil yesterday morning.
“This was appropriately reported to the police for further investigation.”
She said: “Purely as a precaution parents of pupils were informed and asked to make arrangements to collect their children from school at the end of the school day.
“Our thanks go to all parents and members of the school community for their support.”
Local independent councillor Xander McDade praised staff for their response.
“I would express my thanks to the Pitlochry School staff who acted very professionally to a report of a distressing incident involving a pupil on their way to school,” he said.
“It is important to reassure parents, pupils and the community that the police have fully investigated this matter.”
