Police say they’ve made an arrest following a series of calls made on Wednesday (June 26), which were designated as hoaxes, to various schools including Bitterne Park secondary.
Article continues after this message...
As reported, the incident closed Bitterne Park secondary, with parents receiving an urgent memo asking them not to send in students yesterday morning.
In an update posted to social media on Thursday (June 27), the ‘Southampton Police’ Facebook account reported that calls were received by Bitterne Park School, Banister Park School, Regents Park Community College, St Anne’s Catholic Girl’s Secondary School, Weston School and Saint George Catholic College - which they say “indicated a bomb threat”.
The force said: “As part of our enquiries, a 13-year-old boy from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of communicating false information by means of a bomb hoax. He has since been released from custody on bail until 26 September pending further police enquiries.”
Superintendent Phil Lamb, Southampton District Commander, said: “We understand the undue worry and concern that yesterday’s news would have caused in the community – especially among the students and the parents of those affected. It is clear that the incident had a wide-ranging impact within the community.
“Thankfully, it was very quickly established by our officers that these were not a credible threat and this was communicated to school leader’s at the first available opportunity to provide further reassurance.”
He thanked schools and the local community for their patience and co-operation.