Warwickshire schools targeted with hoax bomb warnings - police confirm

WARWICKSHIRE Police has confirmed some local schools have received hoax bombing warnings.

The force has not revealed which schools or how many have been targeted, but have said that they do not believe any of the threats made to be credible.

It said that the reports have been passed onto the National Crime Agency, which is now leading the investigation after schools across the country reported receiving warnings.

They are understood to have been sent by e-mail.

Warwickshire County Council, the local education authority, said it contacted all of its schools and advised them that if they received malicious communications they should contact police immediately.

A spokesman said: "As such, we don't know how many schools were in receipt of this e-mail."

A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said: "On Monday, 19th March, police received a number of reports of malicious hoax communications made to educational establishments and schools in the Warwickshire policing area.

"Investigations are ongoing and at this stage, we do not believe there to be a credible threat.

"We take hoaxes extremely seriously. They divert limited police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public.

"We are committed to identifying those responsible for such actions and bringing them to justice.

"Anyone with information about these incidents or any of the other incidents should call 101.

"Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

A National Crime Agency spokesman added: “We understand people’s concerns and we are taking the communications extremely seriously but we stress there is no credible threat.

“The National Crime Agency is leading the investigation and liaising with our partners in law enforcement and the Department for Education.”