Arrest after schools locked down over email threat

A man has been arrested after two schools were put into lockdown when they received "malicious" emails.

Holmfirth High School and Kirklees College in West Yorkshire kept students inside classrooms and informed parents after being sent threatening communications until they were confirmed to be a hoax at about 12:00 BST.

West Yorkshire Police said a 20-year-old man had been arrested in Huddersfield on suspicion of malicious communications, and the force had increased "high visibility patrols" in the area.

Kirklees College said: "Officers confirmed the message received was a hoax and all centres are back open to students and classes will be available for the rest of the day."

The BBC has approached Holmfirth High School for comment.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "We understand that any communication of a threatening nature, particularly within an education setting, will be of concern but would stress that there is currently no intelligence to suggest that there is any credible threat in relation to the messages."

They added: "As a precaution, relevant safety and security advice is being provided to schools via local officers."

The schools were in lockdown for about two hours.

Kirklees Council said it was aware of the incident and understands it was "concerning" for pupils, parents and staff.

A spokesperson added: "We will continue working with schools to provide support where needed."

A school in Greater Manchester was also put into lockdown earlier after a "threat" was made.

Pupils at Cedar Mount Academy in Gorton were told to stay in their classrooms after the alarm was raised but police confirmed there was "no ongoing risk".

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