Children and staff evacuated from Jewish school after threatening phone call

Children and staff were evacuated and police scrambled today after a school received a threatening telephone call.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed an investigation is underway after the incident at King David High School in Crumpsall, north Manchester.

Police raced to the scene at around 10.20am today, Tuesday, and the school on Eaton Road was fully evacuated. Pupils and staff at the neighbouring King David Primary School were also evacuated as a precaution.

GMP confirmed officers attended the scene and carried out a search of school grounds before the incident was later stood down.

A spokesman said a threat was made in a phone call to the school, but it was being treated as a hoax. The force described the evacuation as a 'standard practice' and confirmed the scene was cleared around two hours later after a full investigation.

The Jewish school, which is the highest performing secondary state school in Manchester, went on to praise its pupils for their calm actions during the incident.

In a message sent to parents today and seen by the M.E.N., the primary school said the high school 'received a phone call of concern'.

Bosses said in the message: "In consultation with the police and for the safety of the children and staff, we took the decision to evacuate."

"The school has been confirmed as being safe and all children and staff are back in the building.

"It must be said that we are very proud of our children who behaved beautifully and were extremely resilient and willingly followed all instructions."

The incident came on the day that Jewish families around the world celebrate the holiday of Purim, marking it by the wearing of bright and extravagant clothes and costumes.

In the Jewish calendar, Purim is