Police guard Kirkintilloch school after threat

Published on 19/03/2013 12:48

POLICE were called to guard a Glasgow primary school after an anonymous caller had threatened to harm pupils.

• Police forced to guard schools after threatening phone call made

• Classes continued as parents criticised education authorities for not disclosing details of threat

Children were escorted into the gym halls of Gartconner Primary yesterday morning after the school received a “suspicious phone call”.

Police officers stood guard outside the shared campus in Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, as classes continued in Gartconner and the adjacent St Agatha’s Primary, where children were also kept indoors for the rest of the day.

Angry parents criticised school authorities for refusing to disclose details of the threat.

Mark Cook, parent council chairman, said: “We don’t know if it was a one-off crank call or whether it was made by someone with a grudge.”

One parent, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “I asked the teacher what kind of threat was made and they wouldn’t say.

“I think that’s a mistake because it will lead to a load of rumours.

“The way the world is today, any threat made against a school has to be taken seriously.”

Mr Cook, who has two children attending Gartconner Primary, said: “I was told that the details of the threat are the subject of an investigation and that parents would not be told what was said.

“As a parent, I’m highly concerned by this and I’d be happier if the school were more forthcoming about the specific nature of the threats made.”

Strathclyde Police said they were examining phone records in an attempt to track down the person responsible for the call.

A police spokeswoman added that officers will monitor the school for the rest of the week while the investigation continues,

East Dumbartonshire Council head of education Gordon Currie wrote a letter to parents in the wake of the incident, saying: “Gartconner Primary School received a suspicious phone call today and, as a result, we took some precautionary measures. “

The letter continued: “Schools are operating as normal, but we will continue to be vigilant. Please be assured that the safety of the children is of paramount importance.”