School in lockdown after hoax shooting claim call

A SCHOOL was put in ‘full lockdown’ after receiving a threatening phone call.

Children were not allowed to leave Siddal Moor Sports College in Heywood on Monday 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 that afternoon, turned out to be a hoax. Police say there is no threat to the community, but patrols would remain in the area on Monday evening to reassure locals.

The school’s text message said police were ‘on site’ and 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.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed: “Police were called to a report that threats had been made towards a school on Newhouse Road, Heywood. Police are 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 enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.