20 schools in UK and Paris closed over bomb threats
Bangla sanglap desk:Around 20 schools in the UK and France have been put on bomb alert after yet another round of telephone threats.
It is the second time this week that schools in both countries have been evacuated.
A previous threat on Tuesday were claimed by a Twitter account calling itself the Evacuation Squad, with a profile picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The account featured previous messages in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
‘We are 6 individuals based internationally,’ the profile said, advertising its services to call in bomb threats.
Pupils at four schools in Merton were evacuated this morning while police searched the premises.
Bishop Gilpin Primary School, Ursline High School and Ricards Lodge High School, all in Wimbledon, are closed, as well as Harris Academy Merton in Mitcham.
It is the second time Ricards Lodge has been hit this week, which was evacuated on Tuesday, along with nearby Raynes Park High School.
Scotland Yard says it is treating the incidents as malicious communications.
In a statement, Bishop Gilpin Primary School said: ‘Bishop Gilpin is closed this morning due to a threat made against Ricard’s Lodge.
‘We have received official clearance to reopen this afternoon. Children will be welcome in school from 1:30pm onwards.
‘Children should make their way to class as they would in the morning. Gates will be staffed.’
Ursuline High School said: ‘We have had a bomb threat at the school this morning.
‘All students have been safely evacuated to the Sacred Heart Church, Parish Hall and Wimbledon College. We ask that parents do not attend or collect students.’
Martin Whelton, Merton Council cabinet member for education, tweeted: ‘I understand three schools in Merton have been evacuated following a security alert.
‘Everyone has been safely evacuated & the police are investigating. Hopefully it will be resolved shortly.’
Three schools in the West Midlands have also been evacuated this morning following bomb threats.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: ‘Police were aware of calls made to schools in London on January 28, claiming a suspicious device had been left in their premises.
‘The incidents are being treated as malicious communications.’
British schools affected
- Bishaop Gilpin Primary School, Wimbledon
- Ursline High School, Wimbledon
- Ricards Lodge High School, Wimbledon
- Harris Academy Merton, Mitcham
- Bristnall Hall Academy, Oldbury
- Sandwell City Academy, West Brom
- Perryfields High School, Warley
- Oldbury Academy, Oldbury
- Ace Academy, Tipton
- George Salter High School, West Brom
- Ormiston Academy, Cradley Heath
- Handsworth Grammar School, Handsworth
- St Paul’s Girls School, Edgbaston
- Harborne Academy, Harborne
- Windsor High School, Halesowen
- Sandwell College, West Brom
- Shireland Collegiate Academy, Smethwick
- Colley Lane Primary School, Cradley, Halesowen
‘We are 6 individuals based internationally,’ the profile said, advertising its services to call in bomb threats.
Pupils at four schools in Merton were evacuated this morning while police searched the premises.
Bishop Gilpin Primary School, Ursline High School and Ricards Lodge High School, all in Wimbledon, are closed, as well as Harris Academy Merton in Mitcham.
It is the second time Ricards Lodge has been hit this week, which was evacuated on Tuesday, along with nearby Raynes Park High School.
Scotland Yard says it is treating the incidents as malicious communications.