Myton school lives on as pupils evacuated after ‘threat’ and locals told to ‘avoid the area’

VaselineMay 20, 2024

0 5 minutes read

Myton school lives on as pupils evacuated after ‘threat’ and locals told to ‘avoid the area’

A Warwickshire school has been evacuated following a “threat”, police have confirmed. Warwickshire Police said there is an ongoing incident at Myton School.

All students were told to leave the building. As a result, Myton Road was closed.

Local residents are being urged to avoid the area while police remain at the school. A special request was also made to parents of high school and college children.

Police say all students are “out of the building and safe.” They ask parents not to come to school.

At this time, the nature of the “threat against the school” has not been confirmed. CoventryLive contacted Warwickshire Police and also West Midlands Ambulance Service.

This is a live blog. Follow all the updates on this breaking incident below.

17:43Kirstie McCrum

The road remains closed – Inrix

A425 Myton Road both ways closed, traffic queued due to police incident between Warwick School and Myton Crescent.

The road remains closed following a police incident first reported before 1.20pm.

17:10Claire Harrison

The scene – in pictures

The scene around the police cordon was caught on camera.

It shows the huge police response to the “threat” to the school.

You can see them all here

17:06Claire Harrison

The latest from the police

Police say they are investigating the “threatening” email and its nature.

Earlier this afternoon, Myton School confirmed it had received a “vague email threat against the school”.

Warwickshire Police say the investigation is currently focusing on the nature of the email.

No time has been given yet when the cordon around the school and the resulting road closure will be lifted.

16:58Claire Harrison

Queue traffic

Traffic website Inrix reports that the A425 Myton Road has been closed in both directions.

This is causing queues between Warwick School and Myton Crescent.

It also has a secondary impact on traffic in the wider area.

16:52Claire Harrison

“All students safe with their families”

Myton School has confirmed that all pupils are now with their families.

He also posted an update on his Facebook page, which once again thanks people for their patience. It is not yet clear if school will be open tomorrow.

“All of our students are now safe and with their families,” the post read. “Police are still on the scene at the school. We will let you know when we have more information.

“Thank you again for your assistance today in getting all of our students out safely.”

4:46 p.mKey event

The scene was filmed

Police at the scene near Myton School in Warwick

This video shows the police response to the incident, with cars blocking the entrances to the school.

It also shows what is usually a busy, busy road, almost quiet except for the sound of birds and police car engines.

Investigations into the “threat” to the school are ongoing.

4:41 p.mClaire Harrison

More pictures from the scene

Police at the scene outside the school, as part of Myton Road, remain cordoned off

The large police cordon remains in place around the school.

Myton Road around the school also remains closed.

The police are expected to be at the scene until the evening.

4:15 p.mRobert Rowlands

Students sent home

The school was forced to send students home. Some sit exams for GCSES.

It is not even clear at the moment if they will be able to return tomorrow. Here’s our report on the latest.

15:39Claire Harrison

Police will remain at the scene ‘for a while’

Warwickshire Police issued an update on the ongoing situation and said police would remain at the scene “for some time”.

Chief Inspector Faz Chishty, local police commander for South Warwickshire, also praised the school and its pupils’ response to the earlier evacuation.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we respond to this incident.

I would like to give credit to the staff and students for how they responded. The police will remain at the scene for a while. We will keep you posted

15:32Key event

The first image from the scene

Police on Myton Road in Warwick(Image: Geoff Ousbey)

A picture shows police at the scene outside the school.

A Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service engine is also at the scene.

Warwickshire Police is leading the ongoing emergency services response. We hope to bring you an updated statement from the force soon.

2:44 p.mClaire Harrison

West Midlands Ambulance Service called

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed it was called to the scene.

However, the doctors were then told to withdraw.

A spokesman said:

We were called to an incident at Myton School in Warwick at 11.44am.

Two paramedics were sent to the scene.

There were no patients requiring treatment and we were stopped.

2:31 p.mClaire Harrison

Year elevens evicted ‘during exams’

The impact of the evacuation hit students sitting their GSCE exams.

The school said in its latest statement that it was working on a plan to bring the Year 11 students home.

It says: “We are working on a plan to bring students from Year 11 and above home as they were evicted from exams without phones and other personal belongings.”

14:29Claire Harrison

The new school statement in full

The school’s latest statement, in full, reads as follows:

Parents and carers, this morning we received a vague threat via email against our school. As always, the first priority was the safety of students and staff, who were all evacuated from the buildings.

We appreciate that communication was difficult at this time as we had such limited access to the systems.

Thank you very much for your prompt responses which allowed us to send students from 7 to 10 home.

We are working on a plan to bring students from Year 11 and above back home as they were evicted from exams without phones and other personal items.

Throughout this incident the children have been amazing and Mr Perry would like to thank each and every one of them for acting so responsibly in a very difficult situation. The Chief Inspector of Police thanks you for your patience and support. He also thanks the staff and students for their very prompt responses.

14:28Claire Harrison

“Vague email threat” – the school confirms

Myton School confirmed they had received a “vague email threat”.

A new post on the school’s Facebook page explains that the school received the email this morning.

As a result, the police were called and “as safety is a priority”, the school was evacuated.

14:19Claire Harrison

Traffic on the A425

Areas in red show where the road has been closed and traffic is developing(Image: Google Traffic map)

The latest Google traffic images show traffic building along Myton Road, part of which has been closed due to the ongoing incident.

It shows this is causing congestion along the road and on the nearby A425 Banbury Road.

Police are urging people to avoid the area.

14:13Claire Harrison

“Avoid the area”

Police have urged people to avoid the Myton Road area.

An official statement from Warwickshire Police explains that the road has been closed due to the ongoing incident.

They confirmed that a ‘threat was made against the school’, but no further details have yet been released.

The full police statement reads:

Myton School has been evacuated following a threat to the school. All students are out of the building and safe.

WE asking parents NOT to come to the school and allow emergency services to respond. Please keep an eye on our social media accounts for updates.

Motorists are advised to avoid Myton Road due to heavy traffic.

2:05 p.mClaire Harrison

Last school statement

A post on the school’s Facebook page explains the current situation regarding evacuation and sending students home.

It explains:

We are now moving all those Year 7 to 10 students out of school through Warwick School who have contacted their parents for consent to leave and are able to get home. We are working on the plan to bring the remaining students, including those in Years 11 and above, out of school.

The children were absolutely amazing in their attitude and behavior in what was a difficult situation.

All students who remain on site are perfectly safe and we are working with the Police and other services.