WESTPORT — A lockdown imposed Friday morning at Staples High School and a shelter-in-place order at Bedford Middle School were lifted about 10:45 a.m. after officials determined the threat was a “swatting” — or prank — call similarly made to other communities.

The safety measures were triggered at the schools, located nearby each other, after police received a phone call reporting an active shooter at Staples shortly after 9 a.m. Friday, police said.

After police searched Staples and an analysis of the “potential threat,” Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice said “the building was deemed safe and the threat was determined to lack credibility.”

Police, based on early evidence, “believe that the lockdown was a false alarm, as multiple schools across the state received the same threat,” a finding that police later confirmed. Immediately after the threat was received, police said that the Staples resource officer reported there was no problem at the school.

Activities planned after classes Friday afternoon and evening will go forward as planned, Scarice said.

However, the superintendent indicated the police response at the scene changed the nature of the school day.

“To be clear,” Scarice wrote in his latest community email, “police weapons were in sight of students and staff, and as a result, we are changing our focus for the remainder of the school day.  

“Schools will follow the normal schedule and students will be provided emotional support as needed. However, teachers have been asked to focus on the social/emotional needs of their students for the remainder of the day. Students will remain in school as it is appropriate to remain together as a school community at this time,” he added.

After Staples went into lockdown, as a precaution Bedford was ordered to shelter in place.

Police then conducted a room-by-room search at Staples. “Nothing of concern was discovered, which confirmed our belief that the call reporting the active shooter was in fact a hoax,” said Lt. David Wolf, the police spokesman.

Police were deployed to all of the town’s other schools while Staples was in lockdown, and safety protocols also were activated, the superintendent said.

Police detectives continue to investigate the incident, Wolf said, and are trying to identify the caller.