Bury College evacuated

Bury College evacuated

Bury College was in lockdown today, Friday 24 March due to a ‘potential threat to security’. It is understood that students were being evacuated from 12.20pm onwards. 

A source told Rochdale Online: “Students and teachers are locked in the building. They think it’s a bomb threat.”

A second source claimed there was a knife involved.

Rochdale students at the college are now, 12.35pm, reporting that they are being evacuated and are being sent home.

Police have confirmed they are aware of the situation and released the following statement: "At 10.50am on Friday 24 March 2017 police were made aware of a threat made in relation to Bury College, Market Street, Bury.

Officers are in attendance to establish the full circumstances. As a precaution the college have chosen to evacuate students."

The College has updated their website with the following statement: “Please note, the college is currently investigating a potential threat to our security.

“We are in communications with the police, following their advice and have instigated our alert to procedures as a precaution.

“We will update further as we receive more information.”

- - - - - - - - - -

UPDATE
2.00pm

Bury College released the following statement at 2pm:

Working closely with exceptional support from the police, the college quickly instigated its well-rehearsed lockdown procedures. A safe evacuation of the college was taken as a precautionary measure. The college remained closed for the rest of the day and will reopen as usual on Monday.

Charlie Deane, principal of Bury College said: “I would like to thank the staff for their professionalism and the students and other visitors for their patience and understanding. I apologise for any inconvenience that may have occurred, however, the safety of our students and staff is paramount.

“I would also like to thank the police for their speedy response, sound advice and expert help in ensuring the safe evacuation of our students”.