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Police descend on King Ethelbert School in Birchington after bomb scare

16:03, 12 May 2021

updated: 16:26, 12 May 2021

Terrified pupils were sent home from school early today following a bomb scare.

Police descended on King Ethelbert School in Canterbury Road, Birchington, after a hoax call was received.

King Ethelbert School was evacuated today
King Ethelbert School was evacuated today

The school was evacuated while they waited for police to arrive.

Headteacher Vicky Willis said in a statement: "As you may have heard, we have had a seri­ous inci­dent in school today involv­ing a hoax call about a bomb.

"The school was imme­di­ately evac­u­ated and the police attended.

"We are work­ing with the police and are con­fi­dent that we have iden­ti­fied the cul­prit."

She continued: "The police are con­fi­dent that the whole school have dealt with this in the best pos­si­ble way and the whole com­mu­nity were kept com­pletely safe at all times.

Head Vicky Willis issued a statement about the incident today
Head Vicky Willis issued a statement about the incident today

"I would like to com­mend the staff and stu­dents for the calm and sen­si­ble way that they responded to this stress­ful sit­u­a­tion.

"I send my thanks to par­ents and car­ers for your patience while we dealt with sit­u­a­tions prior to this com­mu­ni­ca­tion. As always safety is our priority."

Police confirmed they were called at 12.33pm following reports a school in Canterbury Road, Birchington, had "received a phone call claiming there was a suspicious device in the grounds".

A spokesman said: "Officers attended and a search was carried out of the site. The incident is being treated as a hoax and enquiries are ongoing."

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