Police called to FIVE bomb threats just hours apart: Disposal squad shut down Edinburgh’s famous Princes Street and Lincoln Castle due to explosion risk as three Spalding schools are evacuated
- Two packages were reported at Lincoln Castle, as well as threats at three schools
- Two schools sent pupils home, while a third let them return when ruled safe
- At same time, Edinburgh’s famous Princes Street was shut down by bomb squad
Three schools and a castle in Lincoln, as well as a famous street in Edinburgh were all evacuated today after bomb threats were made.
Pupils from Spalding High School, St John the Baptist Primary and Monkshouse Primary in Lincoln were evacuated after reports alleging bombs were on the premises.
The schools were closed shortly before another two suspicious packages were reported at Lincoln Castle. Police said there was no evidence that the two cases were linked.
Meanwhile, bomb disposal teams closed off part of Edinburgh’s Princes Street – with Scotland’s National Gallery forced to close.
A National Gallery spokesperson said: ‘Unfortunately the Scottish National Gallery has had to close this afternoon due to an issue on site.
The schools were closed shortly before another two suspicious packages were reported at Lincoln Castle. Police said there was no evidence that the two cases were linked
‘We hope to reopen as normal tomorrow morning. We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause.’
Social media footage shows officers working on the street after the bomb scare. They were later stood down.
A statement from Lincolnshire Police on the school bomb scare said: ‘We are working with three schools in Spalding following reports of threats received relating to alleged bombs on the premises.
‘We are sending resources to each school to work with the head teacher to establish the facts and to ensure the schools are safe.
‘In the meantime, as a precautionary measure, the schools have been evacuated. At this point there is nothing to suggest that these threats are real and nothing to corroborate the claims.’
Monkshouse Primary said in an alert to parents: ‘IMPORTANT – Bomb scare in school – The children are all safe but please collect your child immediately.
‘The children are all safe & are being supervised by members of staff.
‘Please could you collect your children from the following places as soon as possible:
Meanwhile, bomb disposal teams closed off part of Edinburgh’s Princes Street – with Scotland’s National Gallery forced to close
‘Nursery – From the nursery area. KS1 (Reception, Yr 1 & Yr 2) – From Monkshouse School field. KS2 (Yr 3,4,5 & 6) – From Monkshouse Park field
‘Please do not hesitate to telephone the school if you want to speak with someone.’
A Lincolnshire Police spokeswoman confirmed that pupils at Spalding High School returned to school today.
The spokeswoman said: ‘All three schools were evacuated as a precaution. The two primary schools sent children home and they will go back tomorrow.
‘Spalding High School pupils were evacuated but they then returned after police had conducted a thorough search of the school.’
A police spokesperson said two suspicious packages were reported on the grounds of Lincoln Castle.
They said: ‘We are in attendance at the grounds of Lincoln Castle following a report of two suspicious packages. This was reported to us at 13:04 today.
‘We are in liaison with the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) who will be attending to assist and have advised a 100m cordon be put in place as a precaution. As such, it is necessary for us to evacuate Crown Court.
‘Our investigation is likely to be ongoing for a number of hours and will cause some disruption so please avoid the area.
‘If you have any information that might help our investigation please call 101 with incident reference number 202 of 20 September.’
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