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Thousands of children evacuated from schools in Dudley following bomb scare Thousands of children evacuated from schools in Dudley following bomb hoax
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of children have been evacuated from four schools in Dudley following a bomb scare, according to reports. Thousands of children have been evacuated from four schools in Dudley following hoax bomb threats.
Police are understood to have been sent to Bristnall Hall Academy, Oldbury Academy and Holly Lodge in Oldbury in Sandwell, and Leasowes School in Halesowen after receiving calls claiming bombs had been placed on the premises. Police are understood to have attended Bristnall Hall Academy, Oldbury Academy and Holly Lodge in Oldbury in Sandwell, and Leasowes School in Halesowen after receiving calls claiming bombs had been placed on the premises.
The situation is still ongoing with children who are unable to go home being cared for at a nearby leisure centre, Metro reported.
The bomb threats were called in between around 9am and 9.30am, police said.The bomb threats were called in between around 9am and 9.30am, police said.
They quoted a police spokesman as saying: “Detectives are investigating after three Sandwell schools received bomb scare calls this morning. A school in Dudley was also affected. Leasowes School later tweeted that they had been reassured by police that the building was safe and that staff and pupils could return. 
‘Some institutions took the independent decision to evacuate students. All are safe and being cared for as usual by staff. Neil Shaw, head teacher at Leasowes High School, told MailOnline: "We received a call in school at just before 9am today, which thankfully turned out to be a bomb hoax. 
‘The calls were received between around 9am and 9.30am… A police investigation is now underway to find the person responsible for the calls.’ "We acted quickly to inform police immediately and evacuated the school within a few minutes, and lessons have now returned to normal, but some children have gone home with parents.
"The safety and welfare of our children is obviously our top priority and I’m grateful to staff and emergency services for the way they dealt with this difficult situation."
Speaking of the incident, a 14-year-old pupil at Bristnall Hall Academy told the Mirror: "Just been sent home as my school & others in my local area been closed due to a bomb threat. Police everywhere. Madness. Complete madness.Speaking of the incident, a 14-year-old pupil at Bristnall Hall Academy told the Mirror: "Just been sent home as my school & others in my local area been closed due to a bomb threat. Police everywhere. Madness. Complete madness.
"We weren't told anything, our teachers said it would all be explained tommorow. Several schools closed around us," she added."We weren't told anything, our teachers said it would all be explained tommorow. Several schools closed around us," she added.