The majority of Liverpool's secondary schools have been targeted in a malicious communications "hoax", the ECHO understands. Merseyside Police confirmed enquiries are ongoing following reports that a number of schools had received emails on Friday morning.
The force said the schools had received "similar email communications", but investigators believe at this stage they are believed to be hoaxes. A spokesperson added: "We will be looking to identify those involved and take appropriate action."
Threat of violence in emails
The exact nature of the emails has not been made public at this time, but the ECHO understands they included a "threat of violence". Merseyside Police Chief Inspector Chris Bland said: "We understand that parents and carers will be concerned and as a result we are liaising with all schools and providing advice and reassurance as enquiries continue."
"Based on the information we have received and assessed, there has been no requirement for those schools to close."
Schools affected and response
The ECHO has seen a number of letters sent to parents and guardians informing them that their children's schools have been targeted. Headteachers have said that "the majority of Liverpool secondary schools" had been targeted.
The ECHO has been made aware of several schools who have been affected including Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Broughton Hall Catholic High School, Gateacre School, Archbishop Blanch School and St Hilda's Church of England High School. The exact number of schools affected is currently not known.
A spokesperson at Liverpool City Council confirmed to the ECHO that it was aware of the communications and was liaising with Merseyside Police and affected schools.
School leaders reassure parents
Cardinal Heenan's headteacher Karen Smyth told parents and guardians at the West Derby school: "We reported this to the police and followed our own appropriate protocols and procedures. All children and staff are safe and well."
Ms Smyth added: "Please be assured that there is no reason for parents/carers to come to school. School is operating as usual. Thank you for your support."
Gateacre School's principal Nabil Jamil said the school had implemented "established lockdown and enhanced safeguarding procedures across the school". In a note, he added: "These measures are precautionary and are being introduced in a calm and controlling manner to ensure that we continue to keep everyone on site safe."
The ECHO has also heard from concerned parents, including a mum at Broughton Hall, in West Derby. The mum, whose daughter is in year seven and in her second day at secondary school, said: "We are all in a group chat and are asking each other what is going on.
We are all anxious and the chat is just spilling out. We were already anxious because it is the girls' second day of year seven and they are new to secondary school.
Our children all have hush pouches [lockable pouches used by schools] so we can't contact them." She said parents had contacted the school and been told the school was not in lockdown and Merseyside Police was investigating.
