West Midlands: Thousands of pupils evacuated from schools yet again following bomb scare

Several schools in the West Midlands area have been evacuated again after yet another series of hoax bombs threats. Thousands of pupils at George Salter High School, Perryfields School, Oldbury Academy, Sandwell Academy, Ace Academy, St Paul's Girls School and Harborne Academy, were forced to evacuate the buildings in what has become a regular occurrence over the past few days.

Great Barr Comprehensive School in Birmingham was evacuated on the morning of 27 January, one day after pupils at Oldbury Academy and Bristnall Hall Academy in Sandwell were moved as a precaution after receiving bomb threats.

This is now the third time Oldbury Academy has been evacuated after the school – alongside Bristnall Hall Academy – was among four in the West Midlands area that were evacuated following "false and malicious" bomb threats.

Police are present at some of the schools following the latest threats, while others have already been declared safe and lessons are underway.

A George Salter Academy spokesperson said: "School remains open, lessons continue as normal. This morning we received another communication, which led to the evacuation of the school. Following a thorough search of the site police have given us the all clear to reopen. Further information will be posted on the academy website."

The pupils at Sandwell Academy were taken to The Hawthorns stadium, home of West Bromwich Albion football club, following the latest evacuation.

The headteacher of the Ace Academy, Robin Grover, said on Twitter: "Due to a bomb threat call received this morning we have no choice but to evacuate the school in the interest of everybody's safety."

An Oldbury Academy spokesperson said: "After police advice that the site is safe for staff/students to return, school will reopen at 11am, with lessons starting at 11.15am. Thank you to all members of the OA community again for your patience and cooperation."

West Midlands Police repeated previous comments that officers believe the latest threats to schools are "false and malicious". Detective Inspector Colin Mattinson, said: "At this stage there is nothing to suggest there is any credible threat to any of the schools.

"Our response officers have been sent to the locations to ensure there is no threat to anyone's safety and support the schools. A police investigation is on-going to find the person responsible for these calls."