Merseyside Police told the public “false information can have real world consequences” after a number of schools received emails on Monday
15:37, 09 Mar 2026Updated 15:51, 09 Mar 2026
Police outside LIPA School this morning(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside Police officers investigating “hoax emails” to schools have criticised false information circulating in WhatsApp groups and on social media. The force has asked members of the public to “avoid spreading rumour and misinformation in relation to malicious communications” reported at several Merseyside schools on Monday.
A spokesperson said: “Enquiries remain ongoing after we received the reports, which are all believed to be hoaxes, and work to identify those involved and take appropriate action continues. No schools have been asked to close by Merseyside Police.”
In a new update Merseyside Police said it does not believe there to be a wider risk to school staff, children or the wider public.
The force said: “Fear is being created by false information circulating in WhatsApp groups and on social media. Do not share anything you do not know to be true. False information can have real world consequences.”
The ECHO understands the misinformation includes a voice note from someone posing as a parent which was shared on social media, as well as fake information that someone had been arrested.
Detective Inspector John Black said: “We understand that parents and carers will have concerns but we are linked in with all schools affected and providing advice and reassurance as enquiries continue. Based on the information we have received and assessed, there has been no requirements for any school to close.
“This matter is being treated as a hoax, but we are aware of rumours circulating on social media which are creating additional concerns for parents and guardians. At this stage no arrests have been made but we will issue appropriate updates when available and continue to liaise with those schools affected.”
The ECHO reported earlier today that LIPA Primary and High School in Liverpool city centre told parents not to attend on Monday morning. In a letter to parents, shared with the ECHO, the school said these threats were often hoaxes but claimed due to “heightened media attention” it was now a “credible risk”.
Chesterfield High School in Crosby also confirmed to parents it had implemented a “temporary lockdown procedure” in line with national policy. Writing to parents, Chesterfield High said the school had liaised with Merseyside Police, which said the communications were thought to be a hoax.
The letter, seen by the ECHO, confirms the school’s external doors will remain locked throughout the day, and parents or carers are asked to not attend unless a “prearranged pick-up for an existing appointment has been agreed”.
It is currently unclear how many schools received the threats directly, but the ECHO understands a number of different schools in Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley received the email. In the email it does not name specific targets but referred to “schools”.
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that several schools in Liverpool have received malicious communications this morning.
“At this stage, Merseyside Police have advised that they believe these threats to be hoaxes and we would like to offer further reassurance to parents that schools in Liverpool have well established and practiced procedures to keep children and school staff safe when schools are made aware of potential incidents or threats.
“Based on the information received and assessed by Merseyside Police they have advised there was no requirement for those schools to close. We will be monitoring this situation closely and will support Merseyside Police with their enquiries.”
A spokesperson for Sefton Council told the ECHO: “Sefton schools are operating as normal today. Parents may be aware of a malicious communication sent to a very small number of schools across the wider Merseyside region. This communication is not believed to be credible. However this has led to understandable concern from some parents.
“We can confirm once again all schools in Sefton are functioning as normal. Pupils should not be removed from school grounds in relation to this matter. Doing so may cause further unnecessary concern and disrupt learning.”
A spokesperson for Knowsley Council declined to comment, saying Merseyside Police were best placed to advise. A spokesperson for St Helens Council said none of its schools were in lockdown or closed at this time. Wirral Council has also been approached for comment.
Chief Inspector Phil Thompson said: “We understand that parents and carers will be concerned and as a result we are liaising with all schools and providing advice and reassurance as enquiries continue. Based on the information we have received and assessed, there has been no requirement for those schools to close.”
If you have any information, you can call 101 or DM @MerpolCC on social media. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.