Malicious email which led to Newcastle school's evacuation likely to have been a hoax
Northumbria Police have been investigating the communication, which led to staff and students being evacuated yesterday
It's emerged the malicious email - sent to a Newcastle school which caused it to close yesterday as a safety precaution - may have been fake.
Northumbria police have been investigating the incident, at Benfield School, and believe it to have been a hoax.
The school received an email earlier this week, reporting it to emergency services on Tuesday morning.
Officers attended the school to carry out inquiries and reassure the public, and the school was evacuated.
Today, the school has opened as normal, and earlier a Northumbria Police spokesperson gave this statement:
“Shortly before 8am yesterday (Tuesday), we received a report of malicious communications directed towards a school on Benfield Road in the Walkergate area of Newcastle.
“This involved an email which was received overnight.
“Officers attended the school to carry out enquiries and offer reassurance to the public.
“A decision was made to evacuate the premises as a precautionary measure and a further decision was made by the school to close for the remainder of the day.
“Officers have fully investigated the report and believe it to be a hoax.
“The school has chosen to fully re-open today (Wednesday).
“Anyone found to be responsible for the sending of malicious communications should expect to be dealt with by the full extent of the law.”
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