Youth charged after high school 'bomb threat' posted online

A male youth has been charged in connection with malicious communications after a hoax school bomb threat in East Kilbride.

Police Scotland were alerted to the message, posted by an anonymous social media account, on Monday.

The force said "subsequent online messaging" claimed explosives had been hidden at Calderglen High School.

Duncanrig High School, which is less than three miles away, was also mentioned as a possible target.

Officers swept the area around Calderglen High with specialist resources, including sniffer dogs, but nothing of concern was found.

Police said the boy would be reported to the relevant authorities.

Ch Insp Paul Doyle said: "I want to be clear: making hoax threats is a criminal offence and we're doing all we can to trace the person responsible."

The threats caused concern in the local community, with some parents posting online that they would keep their children home from school.

Lyndsay McRoberts, executive director of education resources at South Lanarkshire Council, said: "We are aware of the malicious communication sent to a high school in East Kilbride and subsequent messages on social media.

"We would like to reassure parents and pupils that schools remain open."