A school has been evacuated over a bomb threat sent to staff, with police warning parents to stay away.
Officers were called to Lydiard Park Academy, Swindon, at around 9:00 am this morning following a concerning email.
The entire school was evacuated as emergency services rushed to the scene.
Schoolkids flee
Children were reportedly told to flee to the back of the school field to get as far away from the building as possible.
In a statement, Wiltshire Police confirmed that staff and children were evacuated following ‘a message sent to the school’.
They said that nobody has been injured in the incident and asked people to ‘stay away from the area to allow emergency service to attend’.
At 9:40 am, around a dozen parents gathered outside the school gates before police pushed everyone back and cordoned off the area.
One man demanded officers allow him in to collect his child, and became increasingly frustrated as he was told he could not enter.
Letter to parents
In a letter to parents, a spokesperson for the school wrote: ‘I am writing to inform you of an incident that occurred today at Lydiard Park Academy.
‘Earlier this morning, we received an email claiming that there was a suspicious package on the school site.
‘As a precautionary measure, and in accordance with our safety protocols, the decision was made to evacuate all students and staff to the designated assembly area at the back of the field.
‘We immediately contacted the relevant authorities, who are currently managing the situation and conducting a thorough assessment of the premises.
‘The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority, and I want to assure you that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure their protection.’
Wiltshire Police said in a statement: ‘Please be aware of an ongoing incident at Lydiard Park Academy.
‘Children and staff have been evacuated from the school as a precaution following a message sent to the school.
‘There are no reported injuries. Please stay away from the area to allow emergency services to attend.
‘We will keep you updated with any further developments.’
