Amble school evacuated after ‘malicious communication’
** 14.30: Update**
A statement has just been issued from Northumbria Police
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 9am today (Friday) we were contacted about a report of malicious communications relating to a school on Acklington Road in the Amble area of Northumberland.
“Emergency services attended the scene and officers have carried out a thorough search of the school premises.
“A small number of officers remain at the site to provide reassurance to staff, pupils and parents.
“Our investigation remains at an early stage, but we believe the communication to be a hoax report.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
Amble’s brand new Coquet Community School has been evacuated after a malicious communication was received early today (Friday).
All students and staff were asked to leave the premises. Police arrived and cordoned off the area. Sniffer dogs were also witnessed on the scene.
📷 Amble’s new school was evacuated today after a malicious communication
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 9am today (Friday) we were contacted about a report of malicious communications relating to a school on Acklington Road in the Amble area of Northumberland.
“Emergency services are at the scene and we are investigating the matter further.
“As a precaution, the management of the school have made the decision to evacuate the building.
“We would ask that the public avoid the area at this time.”
Students frightened
One student told the Ambler:
“We were doing cross-country in the old school field, and one of the teachers walked up and got us in our form tutor groups. At first we thought it was a fire drill. We lined up and got sent to the MUGA at the new school, but before we got there we had to turn around and go back to the old school field. Then we got evacuated into the old sports hall.
“No-one knew what had happened. Many people were being sick and fainting. We were very frightened. People were crying. We were there for like an hour. Then teachers were shouting people’s names to go home because they had emailed parents to come and pick us up.
“I think some of the teachers were frightened too.
“Then my grandma came to pick me up, and brought me home.”
📷 Police cordoned off Coquet Community School
Statement from the school
A statement from Headmaster James Andriot said:
“As a precaution the school has been evacuated, and pupils moved to the old sports hall. All pupils and staff are safe and well. Northumbria Police are on site but a search of the building will take a number of hours.
“I have therefore taken the decision to close the school for the rest of the day and send pupils home. As the main site is off limits we cannot feed any pupils over lunchtime.
“Clearly the safety of everyone at school is our absolute priority. Pupils can be collected from the old JCSC carpark, where staff will be available to assist.
“I am unable to provide the pupils with their mobile phones (which were collected during form time this morning). Given that the site is not accessible, we will have to return these to pupils on Monday. I hope you can support us with your understanding and, as I previously mentioned, we have prioritised the safety of everyone in this matter. I will be in touch later on with a further update once the new build site has been reopened.”
We will post any update as soon as we can.
