[UPDATED] E-mailed bomb threats disrupt 55 Trinidad and Tobago schools

Police from all ten divisions are working with the Cyber Crime Unit in tracing the origin of a threatening e-mail that was sent to several schools across TT on Friday morning, which led to the disruption of classes and a CSEC examination.

Police said the e-mails which threatened the use of explosives to kill, were sent to early childhood care facilities, primary schools and secondary schools from as early as 7.30 am.

On receiving the e-mails, school officials notified the Ministry of Education and the police who initiated evacuation procedures.

Senior police confirmed to Newsday that members of the police canine unit using bomb-sniffing dogs and the Explosive Devices Unit of the police Special Branch visited schools and searched the compounds.

Up to press time, no explosives or suspicious devices were found at any of the schools.

At schools across TT, teachers and principals were seen leading students out of schools to muster points as parents hurried to pick up their children.

The threats led to an early dismissal of several schools.

During a media conference at the Ministry of Education, St Vincent Street, Port of Spain, that afternoon, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly described the actions as insidious

"We have to be more mindful of the effects of our actions on our children, so I would really, in the strongest terms, condemn what happened today and I would appeal to those involved to not do this again to our children.

"This has happened before and could happen again and, really, the only thing that we can do is to do exactly what we did, and allow the police and the experts to make those checks to ensure our students are safe.

"That is why this is such an insidious action, because it affects and disrupts and there is nothing the ministry can do to prevent this. We must at all times err on the side of caution for the safety of our children."

Gadsby-Dolly said that, up to midday, at least 55 schools were affected by the threats, including eight schools from Tobago.

She said officials from the ministry have been in contact with the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

She said the number of schools which received threats were gradually increasing as the e-mails were sent directly to the spam folder of some e-mail accounts which led to school officials realising them later on during the day.

Gadsby-Dolly said the police investigation was in its initial stages and described the scope of possible suspects as a "wide net."

Asked what disciplinary measures would be possible if the perpetrators were found to be schoolchildren, she said, while there would be some penalties, the main issue for now would be that of criminal charges.

"There are repercussions as well as disciplinary action but this would be a criminal offence. So I would leave it up to the police to do their investigation and then we'll see what comes out of it. And we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

She said about 15 schools were expected to facilitate oral examinations for CSEC level Spanish and would reschedule to accommodate any students that were affected.

Hinds pleased by protective services response

Responding to questions on the incident from the Opposition at a sitting of the Lower House on Friday, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said he was told of the incident earlier that day by the Minister of Education while he was on his way to attend an event on the Office for Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM).

Hinds also condemned the threats, describing the incidents as "abominable" but also said he was pleased with the response of the protective services.

He noted that his ministry recognised the need for skilled officers in approaching the threats and referred to the training of more officers with competence in explosives disposal.

"Recently the Cabinet has approved and we improved the number of officers in the police Special Branch who are skilled in bomb disposal, bomb technicians as they are called.

"We increased the number by six with some foreign training within recent times. They always had a bomb disposal and clearance unit and they all went to work this morning on the various schools, ensuring that there was no actual danger and clearing it and inviting them to return to classes. But of course by then, some of the schools had already dismissed their students.

"The Cyber Crime Unit was also deeply engaged in another aspect of the enquiry – that is to determine the source. Because that kind of information, particularly when it is misleading as it is, disruptive as it is, might constitute other criminal offences and that investigation is also under way.

"As for the fire service it went on high alert and was present to deal with any emergencies as might have arisen."

One fire officer said such threats were categorised as an "unusual risk" under their operating procedures and said the fire service usually works closely with the police in assessing risk and danger.

He noted the response to those situations usually varied on a case-by-case basis for the fire officers.

Contacted for comment president of the TT Unified Teachers' Association (TTUTA) Martin Lum Kin also condemned the incident. He said it could be traumatising for both teachers and students but commended the prompt response of the authorities involved.

He said, while the response of the ministry was also generally good, he noted that a few schools remained unclear over what should be done.

"We want to commend the Ministry of Education in assisting the administrators although we would have gotten reports that a number of schools were left in the dark in terms of dismissal and future interventions from the ministry.

"But, by and large, the Ministry of Education would have been on top of the situation.

"We commend the ministry and the minister for calling the press briefing in order to inform the nation on what was taking place and alleviate any fear.

"We would also commend the police for their assistance rendered in recommending courses of action and being present.

"I know it would have been challenging knowing the number of schools involved, but we know the police would have intervened as best as possible."

In a statement on Friday, the Prime Minister denounced the incident, describing it as an "evil action," noting that it was an example of how vulnerable the nation could be to certain elements.

"Given that criminal conduct is fashionable for some of our citizens and others, I once again appeal to all citizens to assist the police if you think you have useful information which may be helpful in furtherance of the national effort to control and eliminate criminal behaviour which disrupts and damages our citizens."

This story was originally published with the title "Bomb threats disrupt classes at several schools across Trinidad and Tobago" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Classes at several schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago were disrupted on Friday morning after school officials received phone calls and an e-mail threat prompting mandatory evacuation.

Police and fire officials were summoned to search the schools for any threat.

Senior police said that the schools which include the UWI, St Augustine campus, Fatima College, St James Secondary, Hillview College, Bishop's Centenary College, Presentation College, Chaguanas, and ASJA Boys' College, began receiving threatening phone calls and e-mails at around 7.30 am.

Police from various units, including bomb technicians, were sent to the school with fire officials and searched the schools.

Sources said no bombs or suspicious items were found at any of the schools.

One officer said while he suspected the threats may be the work of pranksters, the police were treating the incident with "the utmost seriousness" as it could possibly qualify as an act of terrorism.

"We have our legal officers reviewing the law books on how to address this but it is an act of terrorism to instil this sort of fear and unease in the population.

"We intend to pursue this breathlessly and find those responsible, because this is not a joke," the officer said.

A media release from the Ministry of Education on Friday confirmed the incidents and condemned the actions which they described as reckless "which destabilise out nation's schools and interrupt the education of our students."

"Principals were instructed to apprise parents of the circumstances, and to keep them updated on developments," the release said.

In an unrelated issue, the Education Ministry said the police is also investigating an incident where a school

safety officer at Belmont Secondary School was accosted by adult males at the school compound on Friday morning.

Staff of the Student Support Services Division have been sent to the affected schools to offer support to staff and students.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is confirmed.