Six schools evacuated after ‘serious’ hoax bomb threats with police probing messages sent across Southampton
A NUMBER of schools in Southampton have been evacuated after they all received a “serious threat” this morning.
Police initially named five schools affected by the hoax, including Bitterne Park School, Banister Park School, Regents Park Community College, St Anne’s Catholic Girl’s Secondary School and St George’s Catholic College.
Police have now confirmed that Weston Secondary School has been affected by the same threats as the five other schools they previously were called out to.
A Hampshire Police spokesperson has confirmed the schools are working closely with the cops.
All the schools involved received hoaxes by phone on Wednesday morning.
James Habberley, headteacher at Saint George Catholic College, told parents that at 8.15am, the school received a bomb threat via the school reception.
Speaking to the Hampshire Echo, Mr Habberley said: “All the children were evacuated from the school building this morning to ensure they are safe and well.
“Police have been here this morning doing a tour of the site and have confirmed the bomb threat is a hoax.
“All of our students were kept in the shade, given water and access to the toilet. They will now be returning back to their normal lessons.”
David Butterworth, headteacher of Weston Secondary School, told the local paper: “We have responded to a serious threat.
“The students have been evacuated safely and calmly. We have two exits either side of the school and the decision was made gather students at the leisure centre.
“95 per cent of the students have now been collected by parents.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the bus service who have been fantastic. They have offered all of our students a free bus service.”
The mum of two students at Saint George Catholic College, one in year seven and one in year nine, told the Echo: “I received a text message from my son that said there had been a bomb threat at the school.
“As any parent I quickly got dressed and drove straight up here to make sure everything was okay.
“I tried to do a little research and saw that the Echo had posted Bitterne Park School was closed.
“I did start to wonder if the two incidents were connected.
“I’m glad everything is okay now and the students are back to normal.”
The parent of a student at Saint George Catholic College said: “The email sent round to parents this morning was more worrying than anything else.
“I think it would be better if the school sent the students back home.
“It is the hottest day of the year and I’m glad the students have been given water.”
A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: “At this time we are treating these calls as a hoax.
“We are working closely with the affected schools who are assisting us with enquiries.”