Claims surfaced over the weekend and some parents said they were worried ‘about the safety of our children’
Panicked parents pulled their children out of a secondary school today – after rumours spread on social media about a pupil with a knife.
The rumours circulated online at the weekend suggesting a boy was ‘running about with a knife’ at Saddleworth School in Diggle, near Oldham, Greater Manchester. Police were contacted and quickly concluded there was ‘no threat to the school or wider community’ and the school’s headteacher Mike Anderson dismissed the claims as ‘unfounded information’.
One parent contacted the Manchester Evening News to say she was among a number of parents who were so concerned that they were going to remove their children on Monday (November 24). She said they were worried ‘about the safety of our children’.
Headteacher Mr Anderson said: “Saddleworth School is aware of a number of rumours that circulated on social media over the weekend regarding a student. We understand that these posts may have caused concern within the community.
“All reports and claims shared with the school were promptly reviewed by senior staff and referred to the police. These enquiries have found no evidence to support the rumours.
“As a precaution, the school implemented standard safeguarding measures while the situation was being reviewed. The school has continued to operate as normal throughout the day, without incident, and will do so for the remainder of the week.
“We appreciate that the circulation of unfounded information online can create unnecessary worry for young people, families and the wider community. This situation serves as a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread on social media.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students remains paramount and underpins everything we do as a school. We are fully committed to ensuring that all students feel safe, supported and able to learn in a calm and secure environment.”
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers attended the school following reports that a pupil ‘had a bladed weapon’.
A GMP spokeswoman said: “Officers have been to the school and established it was a rumour that caused concern but (there was) no threat to the school or wider community.”