Man arrested after three schools sent hoax emails

A man has been arrested after a series of hoax emails were sent to schools, causing some to go into lockdown.

Holly Lodge Girl's College in West Derby, Liverpool, was targeted with a threat on 19 January, causing it to shut down.

Further emails were sent to Greenbank High School in Southport on 23 January. The Belvedere Academy in Princes Park, Liverpool, received a message three days later.

Merseyside Police said it had detained a 21-year-old man from Runcorn on suspicion of offences under the Online Safety Act in connection with the three incidents.

Investigations are also under way into a threat to West Derby School in Tuebrook, Liverpool, which caused it to close on 21 January.

Det Insp John Black said: "We would like to reassure parents and carers that schools across Merseyside have well-established and practised procedures to keep children and school staff safe when schools are made aware of potential incidents or threats.

"Officers and the local authorities are continuing to provide reassurance and advice to those schools affected, and we would like to thank students, parents and carers for their patience and understanding."

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