Thousands contacted after hoax school email threat

Thousands of parents across Merseyside have been contacted after "hoax" threats were emailed to a number of schools.

Merseyside Police, which said the threats were not believed to have been genuine, is investigating who sent the "malicious communications".

The force also confirmed it had not advised schools to close, although LIPA Primary and High School in Liverpool City Centre told parents not to attend on Monday morning.

Chesterfield High School in Crosby went into temporary lockdown but told the BBC it had resumed normal activities after speaking to police.

Both Chesterfield and LIPA, as well as schools including Maricourt Catholic High School in Maghull; St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Huyton; Sudley Primary School in Aigburth; Runnymede St Edwards Primary School in West Derby and Mosspits Primary School in Wavertree sent messages to parents on Monday morning.

It is unclear how many schools received the threats directly, although LIPA and Chesterfield High confirmed they had received the email.

A copy of the email, seen by the BBC, was signed off in the name of a Merseyside criminal who is serving a prison sentence overseas for hacking and fraud offences.

It did not name any specific target but referred to "schools" in Liverpool.

A statement from Chesterfield said it had received the message in the early hours of Monday morning.

A spokesperson said: "Upon discovery of the email this morning our leadership team took the decision to enter a temporary lockdown procedure, as is national policy, while emergency services were contacted.

"We liaised with officers from Merseyside Police on site who advised our leadership team that they did not believe the communications in question to be credible."

It said it had resumed normal learning and thanked staff and pupils for their "impeccable behaviour" when lockdown procedures took place.

Ch Insp Phil Thompson said: "We understand that parents and carers will be concerned and as a result we are liaising with all schools and providing advice and reassurance as enquiries continue.

"Based on the information we have received and assessed, there has been no requirement for those schools to close."

The BBC understands a significant number of parents have taken their children home from some schools.

Sefton Council released a statement urging parents not to collect their children in relation to the email, which it said had been sent to a "very small number" of schools on Merseyside.

"This communication is not believed to be credible, however this has led to understandable concern from some parents," it said.

"We can confirm once again all schools in Sefton are functioning as normal. Pupils should not be removed from school grounds in relation to this matter.

"Doing so may cause further unnecessary concern and disrupt learning."

Merseyside Police urged the public not to share "misinformation and rumour" on social media about the case.

Det Insp John Black said: "This matter is being treated as a hoax, but we are aware of rumours circulating on social media which are creating additional concerns for parents and guardians.

"At this stage no arrests have been made but we will issue appropriate updates when available and continue to liaise with those schools affected."

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