POLICE have received a number of reports of threats made to schools in Lancashire.

Officers have confirmed one school in East Lancashire is reported to have received a threat.

They are working to determine the nature of the reports and are speaking directly with the schools and local authorities but at this time there is not thought to be any direct threat.

A police spokesman said: “I understand that this may cause concern and I want to assure people that we are working closely with all of the schools to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to understand the full circumstances and although there is not currently believed to be any direct threat, as with any report of this nature, they are all being thoroughly investigated.

“This is an on-going incident and we will provide updates as soon as we can.”

Police have also received a number of reports of threats made to schools across the country, including Greater Manchester and London. 

Hundreds of schools across the country have been evacuated after they were sent a bomb hoax demanding money.

More than 400 schools and colleges across the country received an email which claimed a bomb had been planted and would be detonated if cash wasn't handed over.

The hoax is believed to have originated in the US, but police saying it posed 'no viable threat'.

Fake bomb threats were also received by 19 schools across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Cheam High School, south west London, sent an email out to parents regarding the incident.

It said: "There has been a phishing email sent to schools this morning making a threat and asking for money.

"This email has been reported as a hoax.

"Can I reassure parents and carers there is no threat to the school and students.

"The school day will run as normal."

Liberal Democrat candidate John Sweeney said Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School in nearby Tolworth had been closed for the rest of the day after receiving the threat.

He tweeted: "News from OLI school - we have received a bomb threat which the Police have advised us to assume is a hoax.

"In line with our security policy we have evacuated the children who are all safe at Grand Avenue School.

"Some people.

"OLI School now closed for the day. Parents collecting kids from Grand Avenue."

Dorchester Primary School in Worcester Park have also sent an email out to parents.

It said: "A number of schools have received an email warning of a bomb and asking for an amount of money.

"It has been confirmed this is a hoax and we have received the following statement from Atomwide who manage most school email accounts.

"It said 'we are aware of a phishing email that has been sent out to schools this morning, suggesting a bomb will detonate if money is not paid.

"This is a hoax, and action is currently being taken to remove and block the email.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"The police are aware and are taking necessary steps."

The Met Police confirmed they were 'fielding multiple calls' this morning from all over London in relation to the situation.

A spokeswoman said: "Police are investigating reports of communications made to a number of schools across London on Monday, March 19.

"There have been no arrests.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

Northumbria Police also reassured locals that the threats were a hoax and said there was 'no viable threat' posed.

A statement posted on Twitter said: "We have received reports from a large number of schools in our region that they have received threatening emails.

"The emails inform the school that a bomb has been placed on the grounds and will be detonated if they don't hand over cash.

"Detectives have looked into the emails - which appear to originate from the US - and can confirm that there is no viable threat.

"Schools have been visited by police to reassure them that the incident is being treated as a hoax and address any concerns.

"We take all incidents of this nature extremely seriously and an investigation into the emails in question are underway."