Scottish Catholic Observer

Three Catholic and one non-denominational school in East Renfrewshire were targeted by the hoax caller. More than 1500 pupils from St Luke’s and Barrhead high schools and St Mark’s Primary School (above) were evacuated to nearby Cowan Park as emergency services were called to all three sites, including a Scottish Ambulance Service special operations team. Thorough searches of the buildings were conducted.

A fourth school—St Ninian’s High in Giffnock—was also searched but was not evacuated. John Docherty, headteacher of St Ninian’s, sent a text to parents saying all pupils were safe and well.

Evacuated pupils were allowed to return to their classrooms shortly after 1pm when the all-clear was given for St Luke’s, Barrhead and St Mark’s schools.

A police spokesman said: “There have not been any reports of injuries and schools are returning to normal. Officers are continuing inquiries.”