Schools on lockdown after ‘malicious hoax threats’

SCHOOLS in Greater Manchester were put on ‘lockdown’ after ‘malicious hoax threats’ were received.

Police said specialist officers were investigating emails confirmed as being received by schools in Rochdale, Tameside and Oldham.

It is not yet known if schools in other boroughs were affected.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said emails were sent on Monday morning - and that detectives were working with schools and councils to find who is responsible.

They stressed that they did not believe there to be any ‘direct threat to communities,’ but would look into ‘every single report.’

Assistant Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “We have been working closely with schools this morning and have advised them to make contact with parents.

“I understand the concern that this will have caused but we felt it was important to let parents know that we are aware of the reports and are taking action.

“I want to reiterate that there is not believed to be any direct threat following these reports, which at this stage are believed to be malicious hoax communications.

“We are looking into every single report and will continue to provide updates as soon as we can.”

Dowson Primary School in Hyde, Tameside, issued a statement confirming it was one of the schools to have received a malicious email.

Its headteacher Kathryn Thornburn wrote: “This morning, I worked with the police regarding a malicious communication that had come into school.

“Acting upon advice of the police, I put school into a ‘lockdown’ situation for the safety of our children and staff.

“Once the police had visited and were confident that there was no threat to school and its pupils, we resumed our normal working day.”

Mrs Thornburn thanked staff ‘who acted swiftly and calmly’ and said that safety was ‘paramount.’

Oldham council said three schools in the borough received an email Mills Hill Primary School in Chadderton, Blackshaw Lane Primary and Nursery School in Royton, and Delph Primary School in Delph.

The primaries were all open as normal.

Rochdale council said threats were made to a number of schools in the borough, but did not confirm how many - or which had received the email.

There were reports of threats to schools across the country.

A number of schools in London were evacuated. Northumbria Police said a ‘large number’ of schools also received threats, but were not evacuated.

The Metropolitan Police wrote on Twitter: “Police are investigating reports of communications made to a number of schools across London today, Monday, 19 March.

“There have been no arrests. Enquiries are ongoing.”

‘We are looking into every report and will continue to provide updates’