Primary school receives letter 'threatening action at 9am' as probe launched

07 December 2023 , 19:32

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The Apex Primary School, a faith school in Ilford, east London (Image: Google Street View)

A primary school in east London has received a chilling letter which threatened a "surprise" when it opens at 9am tomorrow.

The Islamophobic threat was made against the Apex Primary School in Ilford, east London, with a copy of the disgusting correspondence shared on social media. The letter, which The Mirror has decided not to show due to its troubling content, calls the school staff "pedophiles" before speaking of how the sender relishes in the deaths of innocent Palestinians in Gaza.

It then says that a "surprise" will be in the post at 9am on Friday December 8. The "surprise" will kill everyone at the school, including the children, the letter states. It is signed: "Yours faithfully. Your terrorist friend."

In a correspondence sent to parents, school headteacher Ms Meherun Hamid explained how the "letter made direct threats against the school and our children indicating that some action will be taken on Friday 8th December at 9am."

She said that the school has notified the Metropolitan Police, who told the Mirror they have stepped up patrols and beefed up security. Ms Meherun continued, advising parents to "remain vigilant" but that to "rest assured" as staff are "committed to maintaining a secure environment."

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She told parents that due to the risks, children don't have to come in to school tomorrow. In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "We are investigating after a threatening letter was sent to a school in Ilford.

"Officers have been in touch with staff at the school to ensure the relevant security measures are in place. This will include increased patrols around the school.

"Enquiries are ongoing to identify who sent the letter. There have been no arrests."

It came within hours of another "credible threat" which shut down the East London Mosque, the largest mosque in London. Videos on Twitter showed a police cordon in place outside the building.

Speaking of the earlier threat, Tower Hamlets Police wrote on the plaform: "We were called at 15:02hrs after a threatening email was received by the East London Mosque in #Whitechapel. The building was evacuated while officers carried out a search. Nothing suspicious was found and the incident has been stood down. Further enquiries will take place."

Ryan Fahey