Police dismiss school bomb threats as hoaxes
Police have dismissed bomb threats against schools as nothing more than malicious communications.
Police have dismissed bomb threats against schools as nothing more than malicious communications.
A Russian-based Twitter group has claimed responsibility for the series of threats that forced the evacuation of educational establishments across the UK and Europe on Tuesday (January 26).
The group admitted it intended to cause mayhem as it targeted six schools in Birmingham and the Black Country, four each in London and Cornwall and six in Paris.
Last week, another six schools in the West Midlands were targeted with similar messages resulting in three of them having to close for the day.
Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes, of West Midlands Police, said: Police intelligence suggests there is no credible threat behind the calls.
They mirror the hoaxes several schools received just a few days ago.
Mr Foulkes confirmed an investigation is underway to find those responsible for the calls, all of which were made in quick succession.
A Twitter account called Evacuators 2k16 claimed responsibility for the threats shortly before it was closed down.
The profile, which used an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the handle @Ev4cuati0nSquad, posted messages offering to close down schools and to divert the police away from a crime youre going to commit.
The group claims to be made up of six individuals based internationally.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service added: Searches of the premises have all been completed and the incidents have been stood down.
The incidents are being treated as malicious communications.