Earls High School in Dudley evacuated in 'false and malicious' bomb scare

Earls High School received a call at around 10.30am, prompting pupils to be removed from the main buildings.

Supt Phil Dolby said: "We are investigating after a bomb threat was called through to a school in Dudley this morning.

"Earls High School received the call at around 10.30am. Pupils have been moved out of the main buildings but remain at the school at this time and officers are currently at the scene.

"At this early stage police believe the report to be false and malicious."

Police said there was nothing to suggest the hoax was linked with several earlier in the year which saw days of disruption at schools around the region.

A spokeswoman for National Police Chiefs Council said: "Several police forces are investigating a series of malicious hoax communications to schools across the country today. At this stage there is no information to suggest the incidents are terrorist-related, however enquiries continue to establish the facts. Forces are working 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.

"Anyone with information should contact police on the 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."