Shooting threat put school on ‘lockdown’
PUPILS NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE AS HOAX CALLER CLAIMED ATTACK WAS IMMINENT
A SCHOOL was put on ‘full lockdown’ after receiving a threatening phone call.
Children were not allowed to leave Siddal Moor Sports College in Heywood yesterday afternoon and parents received a text message telling them not to come to the school or call until police had searched the area and given the all-clear.
The phone call, understood to be someone threatening there would be a shooting at the school, turned out to be a hoax.
Police say there is no threat to the community, but patrols remained in the area yesterday evening to reassure locals.
The school’s text message, seen by the M.E.N., said they were ‘trying to establish if it was a malicious call.’
It read: “The school has received a telephone call threatening security and we are trying to establish whether this is a malicious call.
“Children will not be able to leave until the emergency services have given the all clear.
“Please do not contact or come into school. Simon White – Siddal Moor Head of School.”
The school later texted parents saying the children would be allowed to leave at 3.10pm.
The message read: “We are pleased to confirm the children will be allowed to leave the building at 3.10pm. A police presence will remain in the area. Thank you for your support.”
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed: “Shortly before 1.50pm on Monday 10 December 2018, police were called to a report that threats had been made towards a school on Newhouse Road, Heywood.
“Officers attended and an immediate search of the area was carried out.
“Police are currently treating the incident as a hoax call and there is not believed to be any threat to the community. Officers will remain in the area throughout the day and inquiries are ongoing.”
A Rochdale council spokesman added: “A threat was made to the school this afternoon, we acted swiftly to keep children and staff safe and sought police assistance who then deemed it to be a hoax threat and we were able to finish the school day as normal.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting incident number 1019 of 10/12/2018, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.