A Jewish orthodox junior school in Gateshead, England has been evacuated after a suspicious package was found in the road behind the school. Local residents have also been asked to leave their homes for their own safety.
Children at the Tiferes Yisroel Jewish Boarding School were due to go home at lunch-time today for Shabbat, but have been sent home early following the discovery of the package.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police told the Northern Echo: “Officers are carrying out enquiries at the scene to establish what the package is.
“Public safety is our priority and as a precaution staff and pupils at the school have been sent home. The school had been due to close at 12.20pm.
“In addition, a number of local residents are being moved from nearby houses while police deal with this incident”.
Here's a picture of the bomb squad at work https://t.co/duPjGCg52L pic.twitter.com/BRQGJXmeh9
— Keiran Southern (@KeiranSouthern) November 20, 2015
The bomb squad are using specialist equipment to deal with the package, and are advising everyone nearby to stay indoors. According to the Chronicle, a controlled explosion has now been carried out.
UPDATE: Police are now reportedly allowing people back into the roads surrounding the school after a controlled explosion.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.