MASS BOMB HOAX SENT TO 100+ SCHOOLS
‘No viable threat’ say police
POLICE CALM FEARS AFTER HOAX
A mass bomb hoax believed to have originated from the USA was sent to 92 Newcastle schools and more across the North East.
It is believed more than 100 schools in our region received emails threatening an explosive had been placed on their grounds and would be detonated if a cash payment was not received.
Detectives at Northumbria Police investigated the threats, and the force confirmed in a statement yesterday morning there was no “viable threat” to the schools.
Ninety two schools in Newcastle received the e-mail, the city council said, though none were evacuated as it was quickly determined to be a hoax.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “We have received reports from a large number of schools in our region that they have received threatening emails.
“The emails inform the school that a bomb has been placed on the grounds and will be detonated if they don’t hand over cash.
“Detectives have looked into the emails – which appear to originate from the US – and can confirm that there is no viable threat.
“Schools have been visited by police to reassure them that the incident is being treated as a hoax and address any concerns.
“We take all incidents of this nature extremely seriously and an investigation into the emails in question are under way.”
Five Northumberland schools and four South Tyneside schools have been confirmed to have received the email, while we understand that none of the affected schools were in Sunderland.
A Northumberland County Council spokesperson said: “All schools were notified as soon as this information became available to us. At this time only five schools have confirmed that they received the email and all followed their own procedures.
“There had been reports of schools being evacuated but, as confirmed by Northumbria Police, this is not the case.”
A South Tyneside Council spokesperson added: “On advice from the police, we have made all our schools aware of this situation.”