Police make arrest following malicious email sent to number of schools in West Yorkshire
Police have made an arrest after a malicious email was sent to sent to several schools
Last updated 14th Sep 2023
A number of schools went into a soft lockdown, as police in West Yorkshire investigate an email which was sent to several schools.
West Yorkshire Police said: "Police are aware of an email which has been sent to a number of schools in Leeds and Bradford today.
"The contents of the email are being investigated by police and officers are providing reassurance and safety advice to affected schools.
"Contrary to some reports the force has not issued guidance to schools to ‘lockdown’ and has not stated the threats are credible.
"Officers have commenced an investigation into a potential malicious communications offence and have now made an arrest in connection with the matter.
"We are aware that schools in other parts of country have received similar malicious emails in recent days."
Parents and carers were sent an email to say children were being kept inside.
Some schools asked parents not to phone them, to keep the lines free if needed.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said, “We are aware of an ongoing situation relating to threats made towards a number of schools in Leeds and we are working closely with West Yorkshire Police to monitor the situation and provide support to schools.”
Earlier this week detectives in Manchester investigated a similar email sent to schools there.