Mass bomb alert sees schools evacuated after 'serious threat'

26 June 2024 , 11:07

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Weston Secondary School is among those affected and has evacuated pupils to a nearby leisure centre

A number of schools in Southampton have been evacuated after receiving bomb threats this morning, Hampshire Police has confirmed.

The force named six schools affected, including Bitterne Park School, Banister Park School, Regents Park Community College, St Anne’s Catholic Girl’s Secondary School and St George’s Catholic College. A spokesperson confirmed that the schools are working closely with the police this afternoon.

All of the named schools received hoaxes by phone call on Wednesday morning. The force later said Weston Secondary School was among those affected. A spokesperson stressed that the calls are being treated as a hoax, saying: "At this time we are treating these calls as a hoax. We are working closely with the affected schools who are assisting us with enquiries."

Students were told to congregate at the nearby Chamberlayne Leisure Centre

David Butterworth, headteacher of Weston Secondary School, told the Daily Echo: "We have responded to a serious threat. The students have been evacuated safely and calmly. We have two exits either side of the school and the decision was made gather students at the leisure centre.

Students at the Secondary School were told to congregate at the nearby Chamberlayne Leisure Centre. Mr Butterworth added: "95% of the students have now been collected by parents. I would like to say a big thank you to the bus service who have been fantastic. They have offered all of our students a free bus service."

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A letter sent to parents from Bitterne Park School, one of the affected schools, read: "Good morning. We are just dealing with a site incident at school. Please do not send your child in to school until you have a further update from us.

"If your child is on the Year 8 trip, we will send you confirmation within the next 10 minutes or so on meeting/departure arrangements. Please don't send your child in until you receive this information."

St George’s Catholic College also received the call

James Habberley, headteacher at Saint George Catholic College, told parents that the school received a bomb threat at 8.15am via reception. The school contacted police immediately and evacuated the building.

Mr Habberley said: "All the children were evacuated from the school building this morning to ensure they are safe and well. Police have been here this morning doing a tour of the site and have confirmed the bomb threat is a hoax. All of our students were kept in the shade, given water and access to the toilet. They will now be returning back to their normal lessons."

Speaking of the news, one concerned parent of a pupil at Saint George Catholic College said: "The email sent round to parents this morning was more worrying than anything else. I think it would be better if the school sent the students back home. It is the hottest day of the year and I’m glad the students have been given water."

Labour Councillor for Southampton, Satvir Kaur, responded to the incident by posting on X: "Awful some local schools have been forced to close today, but our teachers and children's safety must come first. I hope the police can get to the root of this and children can continue with their education ASAP. If you have any info to aid police, please contact @HantsPolice"

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Zahra Khaliq