School 'gun threat' as staff and students in lockdown after anonymous caller said they 'would shoot someone in 20 minutes'

Students and staff were 'held' inside a London school earlier this week after it received an 'anonymous, untraceable' phone call from someone 'claiming that they intended to shoot someone'. Orleans Park School in Richmond 'immediately contacted' the Metropolitan Police Service on Thursday afternoon (May 16), who arrived 'promptly'.

The school also requested police to be present the next day (Friday, May 17). In an email sent to parents seen by MyLondon, the school's headteacher gave her account of what happened.

She wrote: "Dear Families. I want to provide clarity about this afternoon's situation to prevent any speculation.

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"At 2:41pm today, we received an anonymous, untraceable phone call to reception from a male, stating he had a firearm and intended to come to the school in 20 minutes to shoot someone. We immediately contacted the police, who arrived promptly.

"Students and staff were held until we received authorisation from the police to release them. I have also requested police presence at the start of the school day tomorrow for added security.

"I want to extend my gratitude to all staff and students for their calm and composed response. School will resume as normal tomorrow."

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at about 2.40pm on Thursday, May 16 to a school in Twickenham following concerns regarding a telephone call made to the school.

"Officers attended as a precaution. The matter is being treated as a hoax."

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