Multiple schools in England have received threatening emails in incidents that have forced police to investigate. There is no confirmation that the incidents are linked. All involved emails, all have happened within a similar timeframe, affecting several schools in each area, and all are hoaxes.
In Gateshead, several schools have been placed in lockdown today, Thursday, March 6, after receiving a threatening email, Chronicle Live reports. There have also been incidents in Birmingham and Halifax in the last 24 hours.
This morning, Northumbria Police said several primary and secondary schools were affected in Gateshead. They received the email and some schools went into a voluntary lockdown as a precautionary measure.
The email was sent out overnight. Police officers have been in attendance.
Local police said: “Just before 9am today (Thursday), we received a report of malicious communications directed towards a number of primary and secondary schools across Gateshead.”
Cardinal Hume Catholic School is one of the local schools that was put into lockdown. An email was sent to parents this morning. Further details can be seen on the Chronicle Live website of schools affected and schools that say they are open as usual.
Gateshead Council said in a statement: “A number of schools in Gateshead this morning received information via email and took the appropriate safeguarding action as per their procedures. Our colleagues in Northumbria Police have made subsequent enquiries and deemed this not to be a credible threat.
“To reassure you, there are no known concerns as a result of these malicious communications, and no schools need to be in lockdown.”
This morning, Birmingham Live also reported that officers have launched an investigation in the wake of several Birmingham schools received threatening emails. Mere Green Primary School in Sutton Coldfield, one of those affected, said it received a message yesterday, Wednesday, March 5, with a “threat of firearms”.
West Midlands Police has said it does not currently believe there was “any credible threat”. Mere Green Primary said police had “confirmed” the emails were a “hoax”.
In a message to parents and carers, the Mere Green Road school said: “A number of schools in Sutton Coldfield have received threatening emails, including Mere Green Primary School, which received a message this morning including the threat of firearms.
“Following their investigation, police have confirmed these are hoax emails and there is no threat to schools. The safety and wellbeing of our children and staff is paramount and we take such threats seriously.
“We have been in touch with police throughout and followed their advice and guidance.” The school said it would remain”extra-vigilant” but would ensure schools “ran as normal” to avoid an impact on pupils.
It added: “Pupils were not aware of the threats, although some measures were in place for their safety such as blinds pulled down and indoor break time.”
A West Midlands Police spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “We’re investigating after threatening e-mails were sent to a number of schools in Birmingham.
“We are in touch with the schools and offering them advice, and at this stage we don’t believe there is any credible threat. We’d urge schools to get in touch with us if they have any concerns.
“Hoax messages are a serious criminal offence and cause significant disruption to the community and public services. Anyone with information concerning the hoax calls should contact West Midlands Police on 101, or Live Chat.”
Meanwhile, yesterday, the Halifax Courier reported that several schools in Halifax received a threatening email. A man has been arrested, the publication said.
Halifax Neighbourhood Policing Team posted a statement saying a threatening email was sent to several schools across Halifax, the site said. “Police are aware of messages being circulated today to suggest there is a threat to schools in the Park Ward area of Halifax,” said the statement.
“These messages are believed to relate to a threatening email which was received by several schools across Halifax overnight. Police have assessed the content of this email and do not believe it poses a credible threat.
“Officers are continuing to liaise with the schools concerned, and are working with partners to provide reassurance and advice. An investigation into the origin of the email is ongoing and a man has been arrested in connection with a malicious communications matter.
“Reassurance patrols are also being provided to affected schools.”