The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into a series of hoax bomb threats sent via malicious emails to over 50 schools, colleges and universities across the country.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police in London, which is co-ordinating the operation, confirmed that: “The Metropolitan Police Service is investigating a suspected linked series of malicious communications sent to a number of educational organisations around the UK.”

This morning three establishments in the south of England were targeted in the latest set of threats. Brockenhurst College in the New Forest close to Lymington, and Eastleigh College close to Southampton were evacuated as police searched the premises following threats that explosives had been planted on the sites. Poole Grammar School in Dorset was also targeted, similarly a hoax email alleged that an incendiary device was in the building. The threats to all three institutions caused mass disruption, especially as it is currently the exam period for many students.

Similar incidents have been occurring in educational establishments all over the country in the past few weeks including Bristol, Durham and Cambridge universities. After each incident a full search of the premises is required using sniffer dogs, and specialist bomb disposal units, an expensive waste of both time and resources.

[Photograph shows Wills Hall in Bristol cordoned off in April as the search of the premises took place]