Terror cops probing if ‘automated calls’ forced closure of more than 85 schools in the UK
UK police working with US officials as dozens of calls were also made in the states
COUNTER-terror police are investigating after 85 sick bomb threats were made to schools in the UK as well as dozens across the US in 24 hours.
Officers are probing anonymous "robocalls" which threatened shootings, bombings, and beheadings in British schools.
The threats have been dubbed robocalls because in many cases they are reported to have been pre-recorded.
The South West Counter Terrorism Unit has launched an investigation alongside US officials.
A spokesman said: “The South West Counter Terrorism Unit is pursuing a number of lines of inquiry and has spoken to law enforcement agencies in America as part of the investigation.”
The FBI are investigating a series of calls that have been made across the US.
Bomb threats closed down schools across the UK for the second day running earlier, after 27 had to be evacuated yesterday when callers threatened to shoot, blow up, and behead kids.
At least nine schools in Scotland received the calls during GCSE season today.
Police in Scotland have said the threats "do not appear to be credible".
Oldway Primary School in Devon has evacuated its pupils amid fears of a new "bomb threat".
Six schools in Northern Ireland have also been emptied.
Carluke Primary and Canberra Primary in East Kilbride, Scotland, are among the schools that have been evacuated in the UK.
South Lanarkshire Council said pupils have been moved to nearby schools.
Pupils and staff at Dunrobin Primary in Airdrie were also removed from classes but have now returned.
A North Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: "Staff received a telephone call claiming there was an explosive device within the building and pupils were taken to the nearby community centre.
"Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland were quickly on the scene and carried out a site safety inspection.
They gave the all-clear for staff and pupils to return to the building just after 10.30am."
Perth High School in Scotland also received a call but was not evacuated on police advice.
Police Scotland said "a number of schools" in the central area received a telephoned threat today and that two have been closed down.
The spokesman added: "Police Scotland would like to reassure the public that at present these do not appear to be credible threats, however they are being taken seriously.
"Staff and police are working with local authorities and are currently searching school buildings.
"Some schools as a precautionary measure, have been evacuated. Significant enquiries are underway."
A spokesman from Avon and Somerset Police said: “Several police forces are investigating a series of malicious hoax communications to schools across the country.
"At this stage there is no information to suggest the incidents are terrorist-related, however the South West Counter
Terrorism Unit are coordinating the approach to establish the facts.
"Forces continue to work together to investigate who is responsible and whether incidents are linked.
“As this point there is nothing to link these with a spate of similar calls earlier this year but this has not been ruled out.
"Police take hoaxes extremely seriously. They divert police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public."
The schools we know received bomb threats today
Bloomfield Primary School, Bangor
Carluke Primary School, South Lanarkshire
Canberra Primary School, South Lanarkshire
Dunrobin Primary School, North Lanarkshire
Perth High School, Perth
Doonfoot Primary, Ayrshire
Dunbar Grammar School, East Lothian
A school in Edinburgh
A school in West Lothian
Oldway Primary School, Devon
Six others in Northern Ireland
