Attributable to Superintendent Chris Scahill, National Manager: Operations and Response:
Police can confirm six schools have now been cleared after each reported a call of a concerning nature shortly after 12.30pm.
Each call was similar in nature and stated an explosive device had been left on site.
Local police have attended each school and, along with senior school management, have assessed the risk and responded accordingly.
As part of the schools individual management plans some schools had already taken the decision to evacuate, and in some cases had sent students home early.
By 3.30pm this afternoon, Police were satisfied that there was no risk at any school and no devices had been found.
Police take such threats extremely seriously. Given the undue alarm they cause and the disruption to school activities, we undertake a thorough response whenever threats of these nature are received.
Police are continuing our investigation into the source of these calls, however our inquiries at this stage indicate that the origin of these calls may be overseas.
Police are aware of very similar incidents occurring overseas such as Australia and the United States. These have involved recorded voice messages being directed towards schools in these countries.
Because of this, Police are currently investigating whether today’s events are the latest in this string of incidents and this will involve liaising with law enforcement agencies overseas.
Police would like to thank schools, parents and students for their cooperation while we responded to the threats made today.
ENDS
Media are advised that an audio file of Superintendent Scahill talking to some media is available for request. Please email Nicholas.Barkley@police.govt.nz for a copy.
Please note: Police will not be doing one-to-one interviews in regards to these incidents.