The lunchtime bomb threat called into Kessler Elementary on Monday was one of many across the country and in the United Kingdom.
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“We have received a threat to the school but please be assured the children are safe, we are dealing with the incident and the school is on lock down at the moment”. Three of the four schools resumed activities, while Polytech High students were dismissed.
“There is also a similar hoax at the Discovery school in Walton, Peterborough”.
The area was cordoned off as Gardai thoroughly search the area.
Approximately 20 gardaí searched through the school before returning the pupils and teachers back to the premises.
“All children and staff are safe and accounted for”.
Children have returned from school safely this afternoon after an earlier alert.
A Kent Police spokesman said they could not say at this stage whether the two incidents were linked.
It is believed the hoax threat was phoned in from an automated system.
PSNI temporary Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said: “PSNI are investigating a series of malicious communications to schools across Northern Ireland today”.
Officers are said to be searching buildings as “significant inquiries” continue. Police report that some chose that option but no numbers are available.
He urged anyone with information to contact police on the non-emergency number 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Authorities are investigating bomb threats phoned in to schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin on the same day that schools across the country reported evacuations due to threats.
Because of the threats, all after school programs were relocated to other sites on Monday.
There has been now no official confirmation whether those threats are related to the threats across the United States.
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One headteacher in Canterbury said staff received “repeated” calls from an adult male claiming an explosive device was hidden in the school, but nothing was found.
