Police have today responded to calls of a concerning nature directed to 13 schools throughout the country. These calls began around 11.20am today and ceased around midday.
Police have attended each school and worked with their management teams to decide on the appropriate response. A number of schools made the decision to evacuate as per their standard emergency procedures, but most have resumed normal operation after being cleared by Police.
The calls received today have similarities to calls received by 27 schools on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th February.
These involve the use of a synthesised voice, with calls occurring at a similar time and day of the week.
At least three of the schools have previously received calls.
Police are undertaking a number of lines of inquiries to establish the exact origin of these calls, and are continuing to work with the Ministry of Education and individual schools to gather information and ensure the safety of staff and students.
Similar incidents have occurred overseas in United States, and more recently Australia.
Until police can rule out any actual threat, we take all such calls seriously and respond accordingly.
The safety of students, teachers and schools is our priority. We understand the concern that these incidents will cause, however, we reiterate that so far we have not established any actual threat to any school.
How a school responds to these calls is a matter for the schools’ management in conjunction with police. Schools will respond differently according to their individual circumstances and the information available to them.
Police will not be disclosing the names of each school who has received a call today given the ongoing investigation and in the interest of preventing further such calls being made to other schools.
ENDS
Issued by PNHQ Public Affairs.