Teen is arrested after mass school bomb threat hoax

ATEENAGER has been arrested after schools and colleges across the UK received threatening emails.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said it was believed the incident was linked to a hoax bomb threat that closed hundreds of schools, including a number in Rochdale, last week.

An 18-year-old man was arrested by Hertfordshire Police and the NCA in Abbots Langley on Wednesday night on suspicion of making malicious communications.

A spokesman for the NCA said: “We understand these threats have caused considerable concern but we do not assess there to be an increased risk to the public.”

A 19-year-old man was arrested in Watford last Wednesday on suspicion of blackmail and making malicious communications after the mass bomb hoax.

Schools in Greater Manchester were put on ‘lockdown’ after ‘malicious hoax threats’ were received on Monday, March 19.

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

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 they would look into ‘every single report’.

Assistant Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said at the time: “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.”

Threatening emails were also sent to a number of schools across Greater Manchester and Cheshire on Wednesday, March 28.

Wigan council said several schools in the borough, including The Deanery High School and Sixth Form College, had received the malicious email on Wednesday morning.

A town hall spokesman said they had been told by police it is a hoax threat and children will be let out of school at the usual time.

The Deanery High School and Sixth Form College wrote on Facebook: “On police advice, pupils will be dismissed at the usual time of 3pm.

“Greater Manchester Police @gmpolice has confirmed any threat to the school is a hoax.”

A spokesman for the National Crime Agency said: “We are aware of new reports of threats made to schools and are liaising with partners in law enforcement and the education sector.”