Arrest after bomb hoax puts school into lockdown

A man has been arrested after several buildings, including a secondary school, received hoax bomb threats via email.

Bishop Stopford School in Kettering, Northamptonshire, went into temporary lockdown on Wednesday as a precautionary measure following what it called an "alert".

Northamptonshire Police said an 18-year-old man was being held in custody on suspicion of communicating false information.

"Although the buildings are no longer under lockdown, neighbourhood policing officers remain on hand for reassurance purposes," it added.

Earlier, the school's head teacher had emailed parents and carers to say it was in an "invacuation procedure" and was being supported by police.

It is believed the lockdown lasted about an hour.

By late morning, several parents arrived at the school to collect their children.

Pupils outside the school told the BBC that armed police with dogs could be seen on site, which one of them described as "quite scary".

They had all been in lessons when an alarm sounded. Blinds were drawn in classrooms and doors were locked, but the lessons continued.

All three said staff had made them feel safe and secure and kept them updated.

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