This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/school-bomb-scare-thousands-uk-pupils-evacuated-after-caller-threatens-behead-children-a7043456.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
School bomb scare: Thousands of UK pupils evacuated after caller threatens to 'behead children' | School bomb scare: Thousands of UK pupils evacuated after caller threatens to 'behead children' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Thousands of pupils across the UK have been forced to evacuate their schools amid a series of bomb scares from callers threatening to “take children’s head off”. | Thousands of pupils across the UK have been forced to evacuate their schools amid a series of bomb scares from callers threatening to “take children’s head off”. |
At least 12 schools received repeated warnings from anonymous callers warning of a bomb on site – leaving teachers no choice but to pull students out of classrooms during GCSE examinations. | |
Canterbury Academy in Kent said it received a message saying that “the shrapnel will take children’s heads off”. Police were called to the site but were unable to find anything suspicious, causing many to believe the calls were a hoax. | Canterbury Academy in Kent said it received a message saying that “the shrapnel will take children’s heads off”. Police were called to the site but were unable to find anything suspicious, causing many to believe the calls were a hoax. |
According to Kent Police, Barming Primary school in Maidstone was also closed this morning after an “anonymous phone call”. | According to Kent Police, Barming Primary school in Maidstone was also closed this morning after an “anonymous phone call”. |
Two schools in Peterborough were also evacuated and a road was closed following a bomb threat. | Two schools in Peterborough were also evacuated and a road was closed following a bomb threat. |
Voyager Academy and Discovery Primary School were cordoned off by police. | Voyager Academy and Discovery Primary School were cordoned off by police. |
One student said: Why put a bomb in discovery with children like it makes no sense. | One student said: Why put a bomb in discovery with children like it makes no sense. |
“That really scared me I literally thought a bomb was going to blow up in front of us.” | “That really scared me I literally thought a bomb was going to blow up in front of us.” |
Canterbury Academy head teacher Phil Karnavas said: “It's almost certainly a hoax but with what's happening across Europe I'm not prepared to take that gamble.” | Canterbury Academy head teacher Phil Karnavas said: “It's almost certainly a hoax but with what's happening across Europe I'm not prepared to take that gamble.” |
He added that secretarial staff received “repeated” calls from an adult male claiming an explosive device was hidden in the school. | He added that secretarial staff received “repeated” calls from an adult male claiming an explosive device was hidden in the school. |
Police confirmed that an anonymous call was made at 10.13am and that the school was evacuated as a precaution. | Police confirmed that an anonymous call was made at 10.13am and that the school was evacuated as a precaution. |
The Cambridge News website reported a suspected hoax bomb threat at Mayfield Primary school, and Emsworth Primary School in Surrey has been evacuated with staff and children moved to a neighbouring school as police probe a bomb threat. | The Cambridge News website reported a suspected hoax bomb threat at Mayfield Primary school, and Emsworth Primary School in Surrey has been evacuated with staff and children moved to a neighbouring school as police probe a bomb threat. |
Emsworth headteacher Kate Fripp told local news website UKNIP: “There has been a security incident at Emsworth Primary School today. | Emsworth headteacher Kate Fripp told local news website UKNIP: “There has been a security incident at Emsworth Primary School today. |
“All children are safe and are at Glenwood School receiving refreshments. | “All children are safe and are at Glenwood School receiving refreshments. |
“The police are on the school site and we expect to be allowed back in within the hour.” | “The police are on the school site and we expect to be allowed back in within the hour.” |
Whiteley Primary and Kingsham Primary schools, also in Peterborough ,have issued security alerts, according to the website. | Whiteley Primary and Kingsham Primary schools, also in Peterborough ,have issued security alerts, according to the website. |
Children were sent home from Wootton Upper School in Bedfordshire, police said. | Children were sent home from Wootton Upper School in Bedfordshire, police said. |
Meanwhile Oulder Hill School and Redwood School in Rochdale were evacuated after calls warning of a “suspicious package“. | Meanwhile Oulder Hill School and Redwood School in Rochdale were evacuated after calls warning of a “suspicious package“. |
Greater Manchester Police say they were called this morning and are still on the scene. | Greater Manchester Police say they were called this morning and are still on the scene. |