Hold-and-secure at five Pickering Village schools lifted as search comes up empty

The hold-and-secures that were in place Friday afternoon at five schools in Ajax’s Pickering Village area have been lifted, with a search by Durham Police and Air1 for an armed suspect coming up empty.

Officers from Durham Police West Division and the Air1 helicopter were in area looking for a male suspect that allegedly had a knife in his possession near Kingston Road and Church Street. Hold-and-secures were implemented at Lincoln Alexander and Lincoln Avenue public schools, Blaisdale Montessori School Ajax, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School and Pickering High School.

Police say there are no public safety concerns at this time.