Terror cops probing if ‘automated calls’ forced closure of 16 more UK schools during GCSE season – the day after 27 were evacuated

ANTI-terror cops are investigating whether sick bomb threats made to UK schools as GCSE season started came from automatic 'robocalls'.

Officers are probing the calls which threatened shootings, bombings, and beheadings in British schools, as well as dozens across the US in the last 24 hours.

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After 27 schools received calls on Monday, a further 16 were closed because of threats yesterday.

The threats have been dubbed 'robocalls' because in many cases they are reported to have been pre-recorded.

The South West Counter Terrorism Unit has launched an investigation alongside US officials.

A spokesman said: “The South West Counter Terrorism Unit is pursuing a number of lines of inquiry and has spoken to law enforcement agencies in America as part of the investigation.”

The FBI are investigating a series of calls that have been made across the US.

Bomb threats closed down schools across the UK for the second day running yesterday after dozens had to be evacuated on Monday when callers threatened to shoot, blow up, and behead kids.

At least nine schools in Scotland received the calls during GCSE season yesterday.

Police in Scotland have said the threats "do not appear to be credible";.

Oldway Primary School in Devon has evacuated its pupils amid fears of a new "bomb threat".

Six schools in Northern Ireland were also emptied.

Carluke Primary and Canberra Primary in East Kilbride, Scotland, were among the schools evacuated in the UK.

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South Lanarkshire Council said pupils have been moved to nearby schools.

Pupils and staff at Dunrobin Primary in Airdrie were also removed from classes but have now returned.

A North Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: "Staff received a telephone call claiming there was an explosive device within the building and pupils were taken to the nearby community centre.

"Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland were quickly on the scene and carried out a site safety inspection.

They gave the all-clear for staff and pupils to return to the building just after 10.30am."

Perth High School in Scotland also received a call but was not evacuated on police advice.

Police Scotland said "a number of schools" in the central area received a telephoned threat and that two were closed down.

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The spokesman added: "Police Scotland would like to reassure the public that at present these do not appear to be credible threats, however they are being taken seriously.

"Staff and police are working with local authorities and are currently searching school buildings.

"Some schools as a precautionary measure, have been evacuated. Significant enquiries are underway."

A spokesman from Avon and Somerset Police said: “Several police forces are investigating a series of malicious hoax communications to schools across the country.

"At this stage there is no information to suggest the incidents are terrorist-related, however the South West Counter

Terrorism Unit are coordinating the approach to establish the facts.

"Forces continue to work together to investigate who is responsible and whether incidents are linked.

“As this point there is nothing to link these with a spate of similar calls earlier this year but this has not been ruled out.

"Police take hoaxes extremely seriously. They divert police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public."