Police hunt hoaxer who forced Launceston school to close over safety fears

Launceston College (pictured in 2009) was closed after a security alert caused by a malicious hoaxer
-Credit: (Image: cornwalllive)


A manhunt is under way for the malicious hoaxer who triggered a security threat and forced a school in Cornwall to shut down today. Launceston College was forced to close today, Thursday, September 26, after receiving a malicious threatening email.

Devon and Cornwall Police officers have attended the school and are looking to trace the source of the hoax. An investigation is under way.

Matthew Thompson, headteacher of Launceston College, posted a notice on the school's website this morning, saying that police had been called to the site after the alert late last night, Wednesday, September 25. He said that officers had carried out searches to ensure the premises was safe.

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Unfortunately, this could not be done ahead of school opening hours on Thursday morning, with the school taking the decision to remain closed for the day for the safety of students, who have been set a virtual timetable of lessons to complete for today.

A police spokesperson said: "Police were contacted by Launceston College after a threat was emailed into the school. A unit attended, and following enquiries at the scene, police are content that this was a hoax. Enquiries are ongoing into the source of the email."

The school has confirmed that its planned open evening this evening, Thursday, September 26, will still go ahead from 5pm, and Mr Thompson stated on Facebook that he will be addressing today's incident early on in the evening, to set parents' minds at rest.