Skip to content

Man arrested after bomb hoax at primary school

Bea Swallow & Karen Gardner
BBC News, Wiltshire
BBC In the foreground, there is blue and white police tape that says "do not cross". In the background, a school, a police car and a police officer with his back to the camera in their hi-vis yellow uniform BBC
Police set up a 200m cordon outside Badbury Park Primary School in Swindon

A 36-year-old man has been arrested after a bomb hoax call was made to a primary school, leading to the evacuation of classrooms and nearby homes.

A cordon was set up around Badbury Park Primary School in Swindon, Wiltshire, on Tuesday after they received the hoax call to say an explosive was inside the premises.

Armed officers swept the building and found no suspicious items. The cordon has since been lifted and Rainscombe Road has reopened. Residents can also now return to their homes.

Shortly after 20:00 GMT, the suspect from Marlborough was arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax and remains in police custody at Gable Cross Police Station.

In the foreground, a police van parked in front of a cordon. In the background, a school and blue and white police cordon tape
Police thanked the community and the school for their support

'Cooperation and composure'

Residents within a 200m radius of the school had been told to leave their homes.

Supt Steve Cox said: "This swift arrest should offer reassurance to the people of Wiltshire that the widespread fear and disruption caused by hoax calls will not be tolerated.

"We endeavour to investigate hoax calls robustly and with utmost sincerity.

"I would like to offer my personal thanks to the teachers, pupils, parents and residents for their cooperation and composure while my officers evacuated the area.

"Also, thank you to The Spotted Cow which kindly provided respite to those who were evacuated."

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

Related Internet Links