Yorkshire school lockdowns: Police make an arrest but deny malicious email was ‘credible threat’ or that they told schools to lock down

UPDATED AT 5PM:-

West Yorkshire Police said: “Police are aware of an email which has been sent to a number of schools in Leeds and Bradford today.

“The contents of the email are being investigated by police and officers are providing reassurance and safety advice to affected schools.

“Contrary to some reports the force has not issued guidance to schools to ‘lockdown’ and has not stated the threats are credible.

“Officers have commenced an investigation into a potential malicious communications offence and have now made an arrest in connection with the matter.

“We are aware that schools in other parts of country have received similar malicious emails in recent days.”

Many parents have received text messages from the schools their children attend alerting them to the procedures being activated.

Parents took to social media to share the content of the messages.

One school sent out a message to parents which read: “Following information from police about a credible threat to all schools in Leeds, [the school] has implemented a 'soft invacuation'. This means that all children will be kept indoors for the full day.

“All gates remain closed and locked as usual and doors and windows within school will remain closed all day also.”

Police forces across Yorkshire have been contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police are aware of an email which has been sent to a number of schools in West Yorkshire today.

“This is being investigated by police and officers are providing reassurance and safety advice to affected schools.”

More to follow.