Police and city council release statement as multiple city schools targeted
14:50, 21 Jan 2026Updated 16:03, 21 Jan 2026
West Derby School(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A new update has been issued after a number of schools were targeted with threats in Liverpool. The ECHO has reported on two schools this week that have been hit with what police say are hoax threats, but which have caused widespread disruption.
On Monday, parents and guardians of children at Holly Lodge Girls’ College in West Derby were sent texts from school bosses just before 3pm confirming the school was in lockdown. It was later confirmed by Merseyside Police the action was taken after a hoax threat and pupils were allowed to go home.
On Tuesday evening, West Derby School, just a short walk from Holly Lodge, told parents and carers that the school would be closed on Wednesday because of a “serious emergency situation.”
The message said: “Dear parents and carers, due to a serious emergency situation, we have made the decision to close the school on Wednesday January 21.
“(Headteacher) Mrs Graham will send a letter to all parents and carers tomorrow with a further update. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
Holly Lodge Girls’ College was put into lockdown after a threatening email was received this week. (Image: Liverpool Echo)
Police said they believe this was also a hoax and that a number of schools in the area had received similar malicious emails.
Now, in a joint statement, Liverpool Council and Merseyside have provided an update on the situation.
A joint statement from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council said: “We would like to reassure parents and carers 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
“Merseyside Police enquiries regarding the cause of these threats are ongoing, but at this stage we believe they are hoax messages and there have been no credible threats in Liverpool. Officers are continuing to provide reassurance and advice to those schools.
The statement added: “The safety of students and staff is our highest priority. We’d like to thank parents and carers for their patience and understanding and ask that they continue to follow advice and guidance from their child’s individual schools.
“If anyone has information on these reports, then please call 101 or DM @MerpolCC on social media, quoting log number 649 of 20 January. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”