The Twickenham school received an “anonymous phone call” threatening to shoot

A ‘threatening anonymous phone call’ prompted a lockdown at a school in Twickenham on Thursday.

Details of the incident were given to parents in an email by the principal of Orleans Park School, as seen by MyLondon.

The school allegedly received a missing call on May 16 at 2:41 p.m. from a man who claimed he had a gun and planned to visit the school to shoot someone in the next 20 minutes.

The police were quickly contacted and attended the school to ensure safety.

Students and staff were detained until police confirmed it was safe for them to leave.

The principal praised the school’s calm response and explained that there would be an additional police presence at the school the next day.

The police confirmed their presence and announced that they are treating the event as a hoax.

The principal assured families that school would open as normal the next day.

In an email to parents seen by MyLondon, the school’s headteacher gave an account of what happened.

The letter reads: “Dear families. I want to provide clarity on the situation this afternoon to prevent any speculation.

“Today at 2:41pm we received an anonymous phone call to the front desk from a man who said he had a firearm and was planning to come to the school in 20 minutes to shoot someone.

“I immediately contacted the police, who arrived promptly.

“Students and staff were detained until we got clearance from the police to release them. I have also requested a police presence at the start of the school day tomorrow for added security.

“I want to express my gratitude to all staff and students for their calm and composed response. School will resume as normal tomorrow.”

A Met Police spokesman told MyLondon: “Police were called at around 2.40pm on Thursday 16 May to a school in Twickenham following concerns about a phone call made to the school.

“Officers attended as a precaution. The issue is being treated as a hoax.”