Markets 
Eleanor Campbell
A junior high school in Footscray has gone into lockdown following reports of an active police incident.
Police are locked in negotiations with a 44-year-old man in an abandoned property near Footscray High School’s Barkly Street campus.
There is no ongoing threat to the public and the situation is still unfolding, a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“Further information will be provided when appropriate to do so,” a statement said.
Parents were advised the school had been placed into lockdown in an email sent by school principal Jillian English on Friday afternoon.
“This afternoon we were informed by the Victorian Police of an incident occurring in a home in the vicinity of the Barkly campus of the school,” the email, seen by The Age, said.
“The police advised to place the school into lockdown as a precaution. All students and staff are safe.
“Victoria Police have advised the incident is ongoing for now and as a result students cannot leave at the end of the school day at this stage.”
Police were observed arriving at the scene shortly before 2pm, an eyewitness told 774 ABC Melbourne.
Barkly Street remains blocked off in both directions between French Street and Victoria Street.
More to come.
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