A Central Saanich middle school was placed under lockdown for hours Wednesday as police searched for a man who was reportedly acting strangely.

Police were called to Bayside Middle School around 11:15 a.m. Thursday after students reported a strange man who was possibly armed on the periphery of the school grounds.

The school was initially placed into hold and secure, but the status was later elevated to a lockdown.

Police said the lockdown was downgraded back to a hold and secure just before 3 p.m. The hold and secure was lifted shortly afterward so parents could come pick up their kids.

Officials said they would hold a debrief at the school at 5 p.m. for any parents wanting further details on the day's events.

During the lockdown, the school district's superintendent said all kids were accounted for and safe within the building.

Police would only call the incident a "suspicious circumstance" and said the lockdown procedure was initiated out of precaution.

An Emergency Response Team and canine units could also be seen on school grounds. Heavily armed police were seen scouring a wooded area near the school.

Police later confirmed that no such man was found after an extensive search.

They also tweeted that a Bayside student received medical attention for an apparently unrelated issue during the lockdown.