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Elmgrove Primary School, Belfast, closing over email threat Elmgrove Primary School, Belfast, closing over email threat
(39 minutes later)
An east Belfast primary school will be closed on Friday following a "malicious" threat via email.An east Belfast primary school will be closed on Friday following a "malicious" threat via email.
In a text to parents, Elmgrove Primary School said it would be closed due to "unforeseen circumstances".In a text to parents, Elmgrove Primary School said it would be closed due to "unforeseen circumstances".
The police said they were investigating a report of "malicious telecommunications" reported to them on Wednesday 21 January.The police said they were investigating a report of "malicious telecommunications" reported to them on Wednesday 21 January.
A 33-year-old man was arrested in Belfast on Thursday night in connection with it.A 33-year-old man was arrested in Belfast on Thursday night in connection with it.
The PSNI had said "the communication was of a threatening nature" and said they were working with Irish police.The PSNI had said "the communication was of a threatening nature" and said they were working with Irish police.
Extra police patrols had been deployed in the vicinity of the school on the Beersbridge Road.Extra police patrols had been deployed in the vicinity of the school on the Beersbridge Road.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: "The department is aware of the issue and is being kept up to date by the Belfast Education and Library Board who are liaising with the police.A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: "The department is aware of the issue and is being kept up to date by the Belfast Education and Library Board who are liaising with the police.
"The priority for the department and the board is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff at Elmgrove Primary School.""The priority for the department and the board is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff at Elmgrove Primary School."
Speaking before the news of the arrest, Eilish Briggs, whose children go to the school, said she was worried about how long it would be closed.
"I do appreciate the fact that due to the threat they have decided to close the school to limit any concerns that we would have.
"But if this isn't dealt with or got to the bottom of, my concern would be how long do they stay off school. Does this continue into next week?"
She said there had been a police presence at the school on Wednesday and Thursday.
Alliance MP Naomi Long said the malicious communication was "reckless in the extreme" due to the disruption it had caused.Alliance MP Naomi Long said the malicious communication was "reckless in the extreme" due to the disruption it had caused.
"I have spoken to the police and have been reassured they are fully investigating a definite line of enquiry," she said."I have spoken to the police and have been reassured they are fully investigating a definite line of enquiry," she said.
"I want to praise them for putting extra police around the school, and extend that commendation to the Belfast Education and Library Board and school staff, who took decisive action in handling this situation."I want to praise them for putting extra police around the school, and extend that commendation to the Belfast Education and Library Board and school staff, who took decisive action in handling this situation.
"Elmgrove's closure is only a precaution but it was a wise one to take. The receiving of this malicious communication is deeply concerning and brings nothing but stress and disruption to the children of the school, as well as local residents.""Elmgrove's closure is only a precaution but it was a wise one to take. The receiving of this malicious communication is deeply concerning and brings nothing but stress and disruption to the children of the school, as well as local residents."