A significant development has emerged following a series of malicious communications that disrupted two educational institutions in Liverpool this week, prompting a coordinated response from local authorities.
Incidents Prompt School Lockdown and Closure
Parents of pupils at Holly Lodge Girls' College received alarming text messages on Monday, January 19, indicating the school had entered a lockdown procedure. One communication stated, "Please be aware, the school has been placed in lockdown whilst we investigate an incident on site." It further instructed that students would be retained on the premises beyond the normal school day until safety could be assured.
A subsequent message at 3.25pm confirmed it was safe for students to depart and return home as usual. Merseyside Police later verified that this action was initiated in response to a hoax threat, with no credible danger identified.
Second School Affected by Similar Threat
In a related incident on Tuesday evening, West Derby School, situated near Holly Lodge, communicated to parents and carers that it would close entirely on Wednesday, January 21. The school cited a "serious emergency situation" as the reason for this decision, with the headteacher pledging to provide a detailed update via letter.
Law enforcement officials have indicated they believe this threat was also a hoax, part of a pattern affecting several schools in the local area through malicious emails.
Official Reassurance from Authorities
In a joint statement released by Liverpool Council and Merseyside Police, authorities moved to calm concerns among the school community. The statement emphasised that schools in Liverpool operate under well-established and routinely practiced safety protocols designed to protect children and staff when potential incidents arise.
"Merseyside Police enquiries regarding the cause of these threats are ongoing, but at this stage we believe they are hoax messages and there have been no credible threats in Liverpool," the statement clarified. It noted that officers are continuing to offer reassurance and practical advice to the affected schools.
Priority on Safety and Community Cooperation
The authorities reiterated that the safety of students and staff remains their utmost priority. They expressed gratitude for the patience and understanding shown by parents and carers during these unsettling events and urged them to continue heeding guidance from their children's individual schools.
The joint communication also included an appeal for information, asking anyone with knowledge about these reports to contact Merseyside Police on 101 or via social media, referencing log number 649 of January 20. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
This incident underscores the disruptive impact of hoax communications on educational environments and the importance of robust emergency response systems, even when threats are determined to be non-credible.
