Bourne Grammar School confirms ‘voice alteration’ device used in hoax call

Yesterday morning (October 20), emergency services were called to the school and the building was evacuated after the hoax call claimed there was a ‘bomb’ had been planted.

The decision was taken to end the school day early and afleet of Delaine Buses arrived to help collect students from around 2pm.

Police sniffer dogs then stayed behind to conduct a thorough search of the school.

Headteacher, Jonathan Maddox, has confirmed that everyone is safe and well and that the source of the incident was a phone call.

In a letter to parents, he said: “I write to give a little more detail about the day’s dramatic events.

“This morning a telephone call was received at the School’s Reception in which an electronic voice - not the voice of a real person - stated that a bomb had been planted at our School.

“The entire School was immediately evacuated and the police called.

“Very soon we had a number of police and other emergency services on site.

“I regret the fact that it was necessary to require all students to remain outside but, of course, I was bound to follow the advice that I received continuously throughout the day.

“This evening I expect that many will be hungry, perhaps cold and some could be anxious.

“I have been assured that the credibility of the threat - the source of which has apparently been traced by the police - is exceptionally low.

“Nevertheless police dogs will search the site thoroughly.

“It was fortunate that the weather was not inclement given the time that students and staff were obliged to remain outside.

“I very much wish to commend all students for their outstanding behaviour throughout their extraordinary experience.

“They conducted themselves sensibly, following the instructions given and were a credit to themselves.

“Save for this unfortunate event our School has been fully open every day since the start of term.

“I hope that we can settle back to normality when we return in the morning.”

RELATED:

Police evacuate Bourne Grammar School following ‘suspicious’ phone call

Buses help evacuate pupils from Bourne Grammar School after Police incident