Pupils and staff were forced to evacuate from St Martin's Comprehensive School in Caerphilly on Thursday morning after a threat was received. Lockdown measures were subsequently implemented at the school, and police are now investigating whether it was a hoax call.
Police response and lockdown
A spokesperson from Gwent Police said: "We received a report of a concern for safety at St Martin's Comprehensive School, Caerphilly, at around 8.50am on Thursday 8 October."
"Officers attended as a precaution and no issues were reported at the school, which had followed its own procedures and went into lockdown measures resulting in sending students and staff home."
"Officers are currently investigating if this was a hoax call and enquiries are ongoing."
Council statement
A statement issued by Caerphilly Council said: "The school was evacuated this morning after receiving a threat."
"The matter was reported to Gwent Police and officers attended as a precaution."
"Appropriate lockdown proceedings were followed, which resulted in the pupils being sent home."
"Officers are currently investigating if this was a hoax call and enquiries are ongoing."
Previous incidents at Cardiff schools
The incident comes after two Cardiff schools were forced to shut for several days after a number of alleged threats were sent to three Cardiff schools in March. Llanishen High School and Eastern High School closed for two days. Further communications relating to St Illtyd's High School were received later that same week.
The "anonymous online threats" are alleged to have first been made to the two schools via the police's online chat function on Sunday, March 15. The threats were then allegedly later extended to St Illtyd's High School. Police told local councillors at the time that they made reference to "explosive devices, firearms and knife attacks".
