Police Scotland says a number of schools in the central belt have been evacuated after threats were received by phone.
The force says the threats “do not appear to be credible” but has responded as a precaution.
Perth and Kinross Council has confirmed Perth High School received what it called “a hoax threat” but the school had not been evacuated.
We can confirm that @PerthHighSchool received a hoax threat this morning. The school hasn’t been evacuated https://t.co/69xkL2iwCn
— Perth&KinrossCouncil (@PerthandKinross) May 24, 2016
As per national position this is not considered a credible threat; however we continue to work closely with Police https://t.co/k8xqd3vgBL
— Perth&KinrossCouncil (@PerthandKinross) May 24, 2016
.@PerthHighSchool is the only school in Perth and Kinross that received a hoax call. Again this is not a credible threat.
— Perth&KinrossCouncil (@PerthandKinross) May 24, 2016
We want to reassure parents and families that all appropriate measures are being taken and we will continue with business as usual
— Perth&KinrossCouncil (@PerthandKinross) May 24, 2016
Perth High rector Peter Flood declined to be drawn on the details of the threat.
He said: “Perth High School received a hoax threat this morning as with other calls throughout the UK. These are not considered to be a credible threat and on the advice of Police Scotland, the school was not evacuated.”
He said: “The school is working closely with police. We have tweeted messages of reassurance.”
Mr Flood confirmed Perth High was the only school in the Perth and Kinross region which received a hoax call this morning.
“We want to reassure parents and families that all appropriate measures are being taken and we will continue with business as usual,” he said.
Carluke primary and Canberra primary in East Kilbride were among the schools evacuated in South Lanarkshire.
Pupils and staff at Dunrobin Primary in Airdrie were also removed from classes but have now returned.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: “A number of schools across the central belt have received a threat via the telephone. Police Scotland would like to reassure the public that at present these do not appear to be credible threats, however they are being taken seriously.
“Staff and police are working with local authorities and are currently searching school buildings. Some schools as a precautionary measure, have been evacuated. Significant enquiries are under way.”
The force also said parents would have been contacted if their child’s school had been affected.
Re threats to schools – pls be assured that if your school had been affected then you would have been contacted and made aware.
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) May 24, 2016
The Police Service of Northern Ireland says it is also investigating “a series of malicious communications to schools” there.
It has not been confirmed if the incidents are linked.
Police say parents/guardians of those schools affected will be contacted by their local authority.
The Courier has contacted councils in Tayside and Fife but understands that, other than Perth High, the threat does not involve any school in the area.
We'd like to reassure parents that at this point no Fife schools are involved in any threats and none of our schools have been evacuted
— Fife Police (@FifePolice) May 24, 2016
Fife Council said it had been contacted by Police Scotland with initial guidance. It is understood the same advice has been sent to all local authorities.
You might be aware that a number of schools across the central belt have received a threat via the telephone 1/3
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) May 24, 2016
We'd like to reassure the public that at present these do not appear to be credible threats, however they are being taken seriously. 2/3
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) May 24, 2016
Staff & police working with local authorities & searching school buildings. Some schools as a precautionary measure, have been evacuated 3/3
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) May 24, 2016
Re previous tweets about schools across #centralbelt receiving a threat via telephone, pls note 1/2
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) May 24, 2016
Parents/guardians of those schools affected will be contacted by their local authority. 2/2
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) May 24, 2016
A post on Police Scotland’s Facebook page has been inundated with messages from parents demanding to know more information.
PSNI temporary Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said: “PSNI are investigating a series of malicious communications to schools across Northern Ireland today.
“At this stage there is no information to suggest the incidents are terrorist-related, however enquiries continue to establish the facts. We will liaise with other UK Police services who have received similar calls, to investigate who is responsible and whether these incidents are linked.”
We are investigating a series of malicious communications to schools across NI today. Anyone with info should contact us on 101. #PSNI
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) May 24, 2016
Reports of a bomb scare in Larne. Not sure if it's linked to malicious communications sent to schools across NI today or not
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 24, 2016
The phone threat come at the height of exam season and follow a day of disruption at schools across England on Monday, when similar recorded messages were received.
