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Teenage boy who threatened to shoot teachers and sparked bomb scare in Rochester, will not face charges

00:01, 01 August 2016

Police have revealed that a teenage boy who made threats online about shooting his teachers has not been charged with any offence.

The boy was arrested in April after the bomb squad was called to an address in Rochester.

Initial reports suggested that a man had been detained after a suspect package was found at a house.

The scene in King Street, Rochester after the bomb squad were called
The scene in King Street, Rochester after the bomb squad were called

However, it later emerged that police were called to the boy’s address because he had allegedly made comments about going on a shooting spree at his school in Rochester.

The teenager, who has not been named, was arrested on suspicion of threatening behaviour and was later bailed pending further inquiries.

It is understood the boy allegedly posted the threat on social media. However, police later said no weapons or devices had been found at his home.

The explosive ordnance disposal team was called in to examine a suspicious package found inside the property. The package was brought into the street and was later deemed to be safe.

Police cordoned off a row of houses in the road close to St Margaret’s at Troy Town
primary school at about 3.30pm on the day the incident happened. The package was deemed safe at about 7.30pm and the police cordon was removed.

At the time a police spokesman said officers were called to the property after receiving information concerning a comment made by the boy. He was arrested and his home was searched.

The spokesman also confirmed at the time there were no weapons found during the search of his home and the boy had been bailed until Wednesday, July 20, pending further inquiries.

Later it was also revealed officers were liaising with the teenager’s family, education authorities, social services and health specialists to provide support to the boy and to ensure the safety of the public.

Now, police have revealed that, as no direct threats were made and no weapons were found at the boy’s home, it was decided he would be released without charge.

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