Politicians have praised the police for their "swift response’ and criticised "trolls who masquerade under the internet" after an individual threatened to bomb a Woodstock school.
The Oxford Mail received claims of a homemade bomb this morning (Wednesday) as an individual told the newspaper he was “going to bomb The Marlborough School in Woodstock”.
After the claims were reported to Thames Valley Police, an investigation was quickly conducted, and the police confirmed “there is no credible threat”.
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Witney MP Robert Courts said he had been in touch with the police and was “reassured by their quick and thorough response to the threat”.
He said: "I am very confident in our police force’s ability to handle this disturbing threat on one of our schools in West Oxfordshire.
“The safeguarding of children is of paramount importance.”
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Andy Graham, West Oxfordshire District Council leader and Woodstock county councillor, said the incident was a “lesson for everyone to not use visceral language which is just a click away or sow discontent through misinformation”.
He said: “Those trolls who masquerade under the internet and social media spread fear which is unforgiveable.
“Free speech is to be protected but not like this appalling example of threats that have to be taken seriously."
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Mr Graham said making sure children were safe was the main priority and he called for people to come together “with respect for difference and to support all those who seek to protect us”.
Conservative group leader at West Oxfordshire District Council Michele Mead said she was “shocked that this malicious act has happened and that someone may find it amusing”.
She said: “School can be a worrying time for many students especially for those going through exams.
“Bomb threats are not a joking matter and I can not comprehend how someone sits online and finds it funny to send threats to schools.”
West Oxfordshire District councillor Liam Walker praised Thames Valley Police and the Marlborough School’s “very swift response”.
He said: “It is of course right that these threats are taken seriously, and I’m pleased to hear both staff and pupils are safe.
“I hope the person responsible for sending this image to the Oxford Mail is found out and I encourage anyone with information to make contact with the police.”
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Ed specialises in writing political stories for the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times.
He joined in the team in February 2023, after completing a History undergraduate degree at the University of York and studying for his NCTJ diploma in London.
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