Schools and hospitals on alert after 'malicious communication' sent

A "malicious communication" was sent to a number of schools and hospitals across Bury yesterday, police have confirmed.

The "concerning" report was received yesterday, triggering an immediate police investigation after several schools and hospital across the borough received it. While no specific details are yet to be released, police have said there is "no credible evidence" of a threat and it is being treated as a hoax. Greater Manchester Police also stressed that they do not think there is any risk to the public.

The schools affected are being supported by Bury Council Children's Services and police. Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Sean Thorpe, said: "Bury Council Children's Services and the Police are supporting the schools involved. Police are currently investigating and at this stage believe this is malicious and not a credible threat. They are however, treating as serious and following all protocols. We condemn the perpetrators of such acts that have caused significant disruption and worry to schools at one of the busiest times of the school year."

The Bury Times reported that amongst the affected schools were Ribble Drive Community Primary School and Unsworth Primary School. In a statement issued this morning, a force spokesperson, reported the MEN, said: "Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is aware of a report of a malicious communication relating to several schools and hospitals in Bury yesterday (14 September 2023).

"As soon as the report was received, an investigation was commenced by GMP and extensive enquiries were carried out. GMP understands that reports of this nature are concerning however it would like to reassure the community that no credible evidence of a threat was found, and the report is being treated as a hoax with no risk to the public."

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It follows threatening emails sparking lockdown across a number of schools this week with students told to keep inside. Manchester High School for Girls, Manchester Grammar and Withington Girls School were among those to receive an email which "made threats to pupils and staff". On Tuesday afternoon riot vans, police officers and security staff were standing guard outside the three schools as pupils were forced to remain inside. Then on Wednesday, GMP said no arrests had been made, but confirmed six schools in the region had been targeted.

Yesterday parents were told in emails that schools in Leeds received information from the council about threatened violence to children and staff. It is unclear what the threat was, but some schools entered a "soft invacuation".

On the school's targeted on Tuesday, the Cheshire Constabulary said in a statement: "At around 10.05am on Tuesday, September 12, police were made aware of an email which had been sent to a number of schools in Chester and Ellesmere Port which made threats to pupils and staff. An investigation has been launched and officers have been attending schools to provide reassurance."

Detective Chief Inspector Justin Hancock added on those emails: "We would like to reassure parents that this is believed to be malicious and we are doing everything we can to locate the person responsible for these emails." Lache Primary School, in Chester, is one of the schools that received the threatening email. In response, the school was placed into lockdown and parents were told not to pick up their children until instructed to do so.

An email sent to parents and carers reads: "We are informing you that the school is currently in lockdown. This procedure is precautionary and has been initiated due to the school receiving an email. The same email has been sent to a number of schools in Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester. The police have been notified and are dealing with the situation. Your children are safe and continuing with learning. Please do not call the school as we need the phone line to remain open. Do not come to school, we cannot release your child or allow anyone to enter the building. These measures are in place to keep your children safe. We will update you as soon as the police have been back in touch."