East London Nursery Closed Amid Police Probe Into School Threats

A nursery in east London has temporarily shut down following a reported “threat of violence” made against several schools.

St Mary’s School, located on Brooke Road in Walthamstow, closed its nursery on Monday morning to safeguard staff and children after receiving a threatening email.

In a message to parents sent shortly after 7:30am—seen by the Evening Standard—the school explained the threat involved “acts of violence to those on our premises” and indicated that other schools were also targeted.

“We are working closely with the police and following their advice to ensure the safety of our children and staff,” the email stated. “We have closed the nursery this morning and will provide updates as we receive more information.”

Although the main school, which has the capacity for 630 pupils, is currently closed for the Easter holidays, the nursery—accommodating over 100 children per Ofsted—had been scheduled to open.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating threats made to a school on Brooke Road, but emphasized that the threats are not currently considered credible.

Local MP Stella Creasy addressed concerns on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Walthamstow, I know many parents are understandably alarmed by the email from St Mary’s this morning. I’m in contact with police and want to clarify the situation.”

She confirmed that the threat was taken seriously and that other schools outside London had also received similar messages, primarily in South Yorkshire. St Mary’s is reportedly the only school in Walthamstow affected.

Ms Creasy added that the threats showed no indication of being religiously motivated and that arrangements had been made to care for nursery children offsite. “Please contact the school for details if your child is affected,” she advised.

She assured residents that the police are working in coordination with South Yorkshire authorities to find those responsible, saying: “This is a disturbing event, and I will continue to monitor developments closely.”

The Met added: “At around 06:30 on Monday, 14 April, we received reports of email threats sent to a school on Brooke Road, Walthamstow. No pupils were attending due to Easter holidays, but the nursery has relocated as a precaution. The investigation is ongoing, and we believe this is linked to threats made to schools in Sheffield. At this time, the threats are not considered credible.”

St. Mary's School, nestled on Brooke Road in Walthamstow, serves a diverse community, notably including a significant British Bangladeshi population. This demographic is well-represented within the student body, contributing to the school's vibrant cultural tapestry. As the school day begins, students from various backgrounds, including those of Bangladeshi heritage, converge on the campus, a daily occurrence that Dazzling Dawn keenly understands and observes.