Hoax threats sent to schools for second time in a month
Two schools in Stafford and one near Wolverhampton were sent the threats.
Police are investigating after schools in the West Midlands and Staffordshire were sent threats in the second hoax incident in less than a month.
The threats, which are believed have been sent to schools and colleges across the country, suggested children may come to harm if they left the premises but are being treated as hoaxes by police.
It is understood schools in some parts of the country were either evacuated or put in lockdown and were refusing to let children leave the premises.
Walton High School and Oakridge Primary School in Stafford were sent the threats, as was Perton School near Wolverhampton, Staffordshire Police confirmed.
Two schools in Stoke and another in Tamworth were also threatened, however West Midlands Police has not confirmed which Black Country schools were affected.
Schools and colleges began to receive the threatening emails at around 9.45am this morning.
Craig Hughes from West Midlands Police said: "Police are investigating emails sent to a number of schools in the West Midlands on Wednesday morning making threats – at this stage it is believed they are false and malicious.
"At around 9.45am emails started to be sent to schools and colleges across the region making the threat. There is nothing to suggest there is any credible threat to any of the schools.
"We take hoaxes extremely seriously. They cause disruption and alarm to the public, as well as diverting police resources.
"Schools are some of the safest and most secure public spaces with well-rehearsed safety plans in place to deal with a range of emergencies. Staff are highly trained and the well-being of students is their top priority.
"A police investigation is on-going to find those responsible.
"We would ask you to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to police by calling 101."
A Staffordshire Police spokesman added: "This morning we received a number of calls from schools across the county concerning a malicious email.
"The emails were not isolated to the county’s schools and are believed to have been sent to schools across the country.
"None of the threats received by schools in Staffordshire are believed to be a threat to our communities. We would like to thank schools for remaining vigilant and urge them to report anything suspicious."
The alert is the second in less than a month.
A 19-year-old man was arrested by Hertfordshire Police in Watford in connection with the earlier series of alerts, which affected sites including Walsall College on March 19.
