SCHOOL staff have been praised for their intervention and bravery as they stepped in to protect a school student being assaulted by two adult men within a borough secondary school premises.

The incident at Thames Park School in Grays, while not of the severity of yesterday's assault (at around the same time) on children at a South Ockendon School where three students were injured, has raised significant concern around the school and local community.

A number of mobile phone clips of the incident have been shown on social media,

Yesterday's (Thursday, 20 March) two incidents are not being connected in any way, with the origins of the incident at Thames Park appearing to be a follow-on to an earlier clash between pupils that escalated into a confrontation during which a fight betwen youngsters took place.

Police are aware of the later incident at Thames Park and issued the following statement: "We were alerted to an incident at the school gates of Thames Park Secondary School, in Chadwell Road, at around 3.20pm.

"A brief altercation had taken place involving two adults and a pupil, school staff quickly intervened and deescalated the incident.

"No weapons were used or seen, and no injuries were suffered."

Thames Park Headteacher Sam Dyer told Thurrock Nub News: "As a school, within the Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust, we make safeguarding and the health and safety of our staff and students our top priority.

"Yesterday's incident circulating on social media that took place outside the school building, at the end of the school day, was immediately reported to the police.

"I would like to thank my staff who intervened swiftly and sensibly to diffuse the situation and would like to reassure the community that no one was harmed.

"We will be working together with the police who are investigating the incident and the cause of the disgraceful behaviour by two adult members of our wider school community and therefore, known to the school.

"We will continue to support staff and students who have been affected by this incident and would urge anyone with an information to share it with the police.

Thames Park Secondary.

The mother of the boy challenged and threatened by adults at the school says she is concerned that police are not taking the matter as seriously as the family would like, and says there is a strong belief from observers of the incident that one of the men was carrying a weapon, which he kept a hand on within a pocket.

Police have said they plan to interview the men concerned shortly and will also be speaking to the assaulted child's family to give reassurances.

In their appeal for information and footage of the incident, police added: "You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."

Meanwhile, investigations continue into the incident in South Ockendon and an update is expected from Essex Police later today. Police say they are hopeful of making arrests in connection with the incident.