Panic Across Merseyside as Bomb Threat Messages Sent to Schools – Parents Rush to Collect Children
- Sefton Bubble
- 1 minute ago
- 4 min read
Fear and Confusion Across Merseyside After Threatening Messages Sent to Schools.
Parents across Sefton, Liverpool and the Wirral were left frightened and deeply concerned today after threatening messages were reportedly sent to a number of schools across the region, sparking lockdown procedures, increased security and widespread panic among families.
Throughout the morning on Monday 9 March, schools across Merseyside began responding after receiving malicious communications threatening violence at schools in the Liverpool area. The messages triggered immediate safeguarding procedures in some schools while others contacted police and local authorities for guidance.
As news began to spread between parents on WhatsApp groups, social media and school communication apps, many families became alarmed and some parents reportedly rushed to schools and nurseries to collect their children early.
Sefton Bubble has received messages from a number of concerned parents who said the situation caused real fear across the community, with some telling us they are now considering keeping their children at home for the rest of the week until they feel reassured that the situation has been fully resolved.
One parent told us:
“When you hear something like this you just panic. You immediately think about your child and you want to get them out of school as quickly as possible.”
Another parent said:
“Even if they say it’s a hoax, it’s terrifying as a parent. You just don’t know whether to believe it or not.”
Several parents also told us they were worried about the speed the messages spread online, which added to the confusion and anxiety throughout the morning.
At Chesterfield High School in Crosby, the school leadership team took swift action after discovering one of the threatening emails in the early hours of the morning.
In a statement sent directly to Crosby Bubble, the headteacher confirmed the school implemented a temporary lockdown procedure as a precaution while emergency services were contacted, in line with national school safety guidance.
The statement said:
“Chesterfield High School was part of a number of Merseyside schools which received malicious communications in the early hours of this morning.
Upon discovery of the email this morning our leadership team took the decision to enter a temporary lockdown procedure, as is national policy, while emergency services were contacted.
We liaised with officers from Merseyside Police on site who advised our leadership team that they did not believe the communications in question to be credible.
Following this guidance we took the decision to lift the temporary lockdown and normal learning has resumed.
We would like to thank our staff and pupils for their impeccable behaviour in observing and adhering to our procedures.”
Other schools across the region also contacted families during the morning to reassure them that they were aware of the situation and were following advice from police.
At Holy Family High School, a message sent to parents explained that the school had been informed about threats circulating to a number of Liverpool schools and that Chesterfield High School had briefly entered lockdown earlier in the day.
The school confirmed it had been in contact with Sefton Council and Merseyside Police, who advised there was no credible threat to the school.
The message to parents said the school would continue operating normally but that extra security and vigilance had been put in place around the site as a precaution.
Despite these reassurances, the contents of the threatening message quickly began circulating online and among parents, adding to the alarm across the region.
The message, which police are investigating as part of their enquiries, claimed bombs had been planted at schools and included threats of violence. The message read:
“My name is Joseph James O’Connor I was born on 1999-06-02.
Today the 9th of March 2026 will go down in history as one of the best days in the history of Liverpool.
Since Friday night I’ve been planting multiple bombs inside & outside of multiple schools in the Liverpool Area.
Today, I will also be going to multiple unnamed schools with heavy body armor and multiple knives to have the most casualties I possibly can.
If you want to know why I’m doing this, There will be copies of my manifesto located on my computer devices as well as my phone devices.”
Police have confirmed they are treating the communications as malicious messages and enquiries are ongoing after a number of schools across Merseyside received similar emails.
At this stage officers believe the threats are likely to be hoaxes, but investigations are continuing to identify whoever is responsible.
Merseyside Police say they are working closely with schools across Liverpool, Sefton and the Wirral, providing guidance, reassurance and support to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.
Authorities have stressed that there has been no credible threat identified, but they understand why parents and carers have been worried by the situation.
Anyone who has information about the threats is asked to contact Merseyside Police via 101, message @MerPolCC on social media, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Schools across the region have reassured families that the safety and wellbeing of pupils remains their absolute priority while police continue their investigation.
