Investigation launched after bomb hoax at Halesowen College

Specialist police units with sniffer dogs carried out checks at the college's three sites after bosses were warned of a bomb threat on Sunday night but nothing of concern has been found and the college will re-open as normal tomorrow (Tuesday).

An investigation to track down the hoaxer has now got underway, with police warning they were taking the matter "very seriously".

Jacquie Carman, vice principal at Halesowen College, told how the drama unfolded and said: “On Sunday evening the college were contacted by the police advising us that there had been a bomb threat.

"Whilst it was highly likely that this was a hoax, the college, alongside officers, took this threat very seriously and the key consideration was threat to life.

"As such the decision was taken to close all sites today (Monday) whilst the police carried out checks at the college’s three sites with specialist units and sniffer dogs. They have found nothing of concern and the college will be open as normal tomorrow."

Dudley Police Inspector Pete Sandhu said: “Our suspicion is that the threat is a hoax and as such it’s been crimed as a malicious communications offence.

"We take matters like this very seriously and have launched an investigation. We will be carrying out enquiries to identify the person or people who’ve made the threatening call and will take appropriate action against offenders.”