A Merseyside school went into lockdown after receiving a threatening phone call, police have said.
Police said they were investigating an incident of malicious communications following a report that someone had called the Co-op Academy in Bebington, Wirral, and made threats earlier.
Officers attended the school after being alerted to the incident at about 11:10 BST, with all staff and children said to be safe and well.
The school was forced to go into 'lockdown' this morning after it received a threatening phone call.
Co-op Academy Bebington on Higher Bebington Road sent a message to parents and carers at around 11.15am this morning (Wednesday, September 25) which read: "The school is in lockdown as we have had a threatening phone call.
"Police are on the way. Do not come to school.
"We will keep you updated. Everyone safe."
Parents were told not to come to the school as police were called.
A further message was sent around 45 minutes saying the lockdown had been lifted.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said they would remain on site this afternoon "to provide reassurance and inquiries are ongoing into the incident".
A message seen by the BBC which was sent by the school's headteacher Catherine Kelly to parents and carers at about 11:15 BST said the academy had gone into lockdown.
It urged people not to come to the school, adding that everyone was safe and police were on their way.
An updated message sent at about 11:42 BST said the lockdown had been lifted on police advice and reiterated that staff and students were safe.
It added that police remained on site and the school would not be admitting visitors.
The BBC has approached Co-op Academy Bebington for comment.
The Incident
Merseyside Police confirmed it received a report that someone had called the school and made threats at around 11.10am. The school issued a statement, seen by the ECHO, to parents and carers which said: "The school is in lockdown as we have had a threatening phone call. Police are on their way. DO NOT COME TO THE SCHOOL. We will keep you updated. Everyone is safe."
Officers attended the school and all staff and children are safe and well, police said. Police will remain at the school this afternoon to provide reassurance and inquiries are ongoing into the incident.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: "We can confirm that we are investigating an incident of malicious communications reported by Co-op Academy Bebington this morning, Wednesday 25 September. At around 11.10am, we received a report that someone had called the school and made threats.
The Response
Officers attended the school and all staff and children are safe and well, police said. Police will remain at the school this afternoon to provide reassurance and inquiries are ongoing into the incident.
The school has been contacted for a statement.
Aftermath and Future Steps
The incident has understandably caused concern among parents, students, and the local community. In the wake of this event, it is crucial for the school and the authorities to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. This may include reviewing security protocols, increasing police presence, and providing additional support to students and staff who may be experiencing anxiety or distress. The incident also serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing cyberbullying and online threats seriously. By fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and responsibility, both online and offline, we can work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.
The incident highlights the increasing need for schools to be prepared for such threats and to have robust security measures in place. It also emphasizes the importance of strong communication between schools and parents, and the need for police to respond swiftly and effectively to such incidents. This event has certainly left a lasting impression on the community, and it is vital that we learn from it and work to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
