A school is in "lockdown" after threats were sent to pupils and staff.
Police are responding after schools in Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester reported being sent a threatening email.
One school, Lache Primary School in Chester, said: "Do not come to school, we cannot release your child or allow anyone to enter the building.
"These measures are in place to keep your children safe. We will update you as soon as the police have been back in touch."
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Key Events
KEY EVENT
Children to be released
Lache Primary School said: "Working in conjunction with the police, they would like to reassure parents that this is believed to be a malicious hoax.
"Therefore, we are happy to release the children but this will need to be in a staggered and controlled way for everyone’s safety.
- Nursery and Reception -2:30pm
- Year 1 and 2 – 2:35pm
- Year 3and 4- 2:40pm
- Year 5 and 6- 2:45pm (All must be collected by an adult known to school)
"Normal gates. One way system."
Ellen Kirwin
School issues further statement after some parents turn up at school gates
Lache Primary School has issued another statement after some parents have turned up at the school gates.
The statement says: "We are aware that parents have arrived outside school. To repeat, we cannot let any children out or any parents in.
"As we have stated this is a precautionary measure following an unpleasant email that has been sent to a number of schools in Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester. There is NOT a threat on site.
"We have locked down the school to ensure that everyone is safe. Which they are. The police are dealing with the situation and are very happy with the measures that we have in place."
Ellen Kirwin
Lache Primary School statement
Lache Primary School, in Chester, has sent the following email to parents and carers of pupils in the school.
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are informing you that the school is currently in lockdown.
This procedure is precautionary and has been initiated due to the school receiving an email.
The same email has been sent to a number of schools in Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester.
The police have been notified and are dealing with the situation.
Your children are safe and continuing with learning.
Please do not call school as we need the phone line to remain open.
Do not come to school, we cannot release your child or allow anyone to enter the building.
These measures are in place to keep your children safe.
We will update you as soon as the police have been back in touch.
Mrs Seager
KEY EVENT
Cheshire Constabulary statement
At around 10.05am on Tuesday, September 12, police were made aware of an email which had been sent to a number of schools in Chester and Ellesmere Port which made threats to pupils and staff.
An investigation has been launched and officers have been attending schools to provide reassurance.
Detective Chief Inspector Justin Hancock said: "We would like to reassure parents that this is believed to be malicious and we are doing everything we can to locate the person responsible for these emails."