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Bomb threat calls cause multiple school closures

Schools across England were evacuated this morning after receiving hoax bomb threats.

The calls were made to 14 schools in three separate regions of the country, including four in London, six in the West Midlands and four in Cornwall.

Police confirmed they were investigating the incidents but intelligence experts believed that there was “no credible threat”.

Today’s scares came a week after three of the six West Midlands schools were evacuated last Tuesday when they received what turned out to be hoax calls.

In the case of a bomb scare call, national government guidelines suggest schools should “immediately report the incident to the relevant manager or security team to decide on the best course of action and notify the police.

“If you cannot get hold of anyone, and even if you think the call is a hoax, inform the police directly. Give your impressions of the caller and an exact account of what was said.”

Each local authority has its own guidelines for dealing with security incidences, with many stating that the police should assess the credibility of threats and advise on closures.

In the West Midlands, six schools, all in Birmingham, were called. These were: Oldbury Academy, Holly Lodge High, Bristnall Hall Academy, George Salter High School, Earls High School and Four Dwellings Upper School.

The schools affected in Cornwall today were St Ives School, Humphry Davy School in Penzance and Penair School and Truro High School for Girls in Truro.

Police in London confirmed four schools in the capital were threatened, two of which are believed to be Ricards Lodge School and Raynes Park High School.

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