Schools in cyber threats alert

NATIONAL POLICE PROBE LAUNCHED AFTER HOAX

A suspected bogus email caused panic among parents as schools were put on alert over a “threatening” emails. Police have confirmed that forces across the country have reported similar incidents. The emails are believed to have informed schools that they will be targeted in an attack. It led to reports of parents picking their children up from school early and schools cancelling some organised events.

A suspected bogus email caused panic among parents as schools were put on alert over a “threatening” emails.

Police have confirmed that forces across the country have reported similar incidents.

The emails are believed to have informed schools that they will be targeted in an attack.

It led to reports of parents picking their children up from school early and schools cancelling some organised events.

A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: “We are aware of reports of malicious emails being sent to schools across the country.

“So far we are only aware of emails being sent to a handful of schools in Sunderland.

“Northumbria Police have advised that the emails are being treated as a hoax and that while inquiries are being carried out by counter terrorism specialists, they do not believe that there is any credible threat to schools in our region, or any schoolchildren.”

Schools and staff have been made aware of the hoax emails and police are liaising with schools to offer reassurance.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Police take hoaxes extremely seriously. They divert police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public.

“Our officers have been liaising with affected schools in the region to offer reassurance and highly-visible patrols will continue as normal throughout the day.

“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the facts and forces are working together to investigate who is responsible.”

Howletch Lane Primary School, in Peterlee, was one of those which were forced to cancel a celebration event to mark the school’s 50th birthday, while others are reported to have had to cancel a number of Easter activities.

Dozens of worried parents decided to pick up their children early from school.

Chief Inspector Cath- erine Clarke, from Durham Constabulary, said: “In the absence of any further threats being received, schools do not need to take any further action.

“If any further threats are received, they should be reported immediately to police.

“More than 100 schools in the North East region have received the emails and we are working with neighbouring forces to establish the facts and investigate who is responsible.”

“Police take hoaxes extremely seriously” POLICE SPOKESMAN