School threats and social media speculation

And how a bad situation was easily made worse

Hello and welcome to The Southport Lead.

Greenbank High School this week became the latest to face a hoax threat, sparking a police response and enhanced security measures.

In Southport of all places, tensions are high and while this thankfully turned out to be no more than a false alarm, the reaction it caused for many was very real.

As staff and leaders did their best to keep pupils and parents calm throughout, much less care was taken on social media. In a slightly different to normal edition, we look at not only the incident itself but also at how it was reported on social media, the impact that had, and why those with large followings need to be more conscious of their roles in modern society.

The Southport Lead marks its one-year anniversary in January so to celebrate we’re offering 30% off monthly and annual subscriptions for the entire month. That means you can get an annual subscription for just £34.30 or pay £3.49 a month, a little more than the cost of two hours’ parking in Southport town centre. Use this link to take advantage of the offer.

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Southport briefing

⛔ A serial thief has been banned from entering shops in Southport town centre after being convicted of stealing from Sainsbury’s. Diarmuid McCarthy, 54 and of no fixed address, was given the ban as part of a Criminal Behaviour Order handed down at Liverpool Magistrates Court and could face prison or a fine if he breaches the condition in the next five years. Sefton Superintendent Paul Holden said: “We take reports of retail crime seriously because it can have a detrimental impact on staff and the wider community. McCarthy was convicted of theft and is now the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order. These CBOs are an effective tool in tackling repeat theft and should McCarthy breach this order then he will be arrested and could be imprisoned. We would encourage anyone with information about retail crime to get in touch so we can investigate.”

🚓 A man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving after an 80 year old pedestrian was run down. The pedestrian, in his 80s, was taken to hospital after being hit by a black Range Rover on Lulworth Road at 5.20pm on Tuesday. His condition was described as serious but stable. A 44-year-old man from Southport was arrested at the scene and has since been released under investigation pending further inquiries. Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC, contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747, or email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk quoting reference number 26000054434. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

📢 Southport MP Patrick Hurley has joined the newly reestablished All-Party Parliamentary Group for Lancashire. The cross-party group of MPs will work together to attract and promote investment in Lancashire; provide support and oversight through the devolution process and support the county’s interests and needs in Parliament. As of 2024, the Southport constituency includes the Lancashire areas of Hesketh Bank, Tarleton and Rufford which are collectively known as the northern parishes. Hurley said: “I am delighted to have joined this APPG, at such an exciting time of potential growth for the Lancashire region. I will be representing the Northern Parishes of Southport, ensuring that in any future vision for regeneration my constituents are not left to one side, but are given the attention and prominence they deserve. The extensive plans for growth and redevelopment demonstrate the ambition behind the newly formed Lancashire Combined Authority, and through the relaunch of this APPG we hope to empower this regional transformation with backing from parliament.”

🚫 New rules which ban drinking in Southport town centre are now in place. As previously reported by The Southport Lead, Sefton Council has implemented the Public Space Protection Order in collaboration with Merseyside Police and following a public consultation. As a result, the likes of spitting, urination and defecation could lead to offenders facing large fines and people will no longer be allowed to drink in known hotspots such as the train station car park. You can read the full list of changes in our previous coverage.

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Social media race brings out the worst in a bad situation

Police outside Greenbank High School on Friday afternoon

Opinion by Jamie Lopez

On Friday, Greenbank High School became the latest in Merseyside to be sent a threatening email which prompted urgent police advice and increased security measures.

By around 1.30pm, the school was placed into ‘shelter mode’ and thousands of parents received messages informing of the situation which explained the measure was taken “as a precaution” and “in response to a suspected hoax”.

Doors and windows were locked, children remained in classrooms and outdoor PE lessons were moved inside. While the name sounds like a lockdown-style situation, school leaders were keen to stress a key difference in that lessons continued while the threat was assessed.

Ultimately, it was concluded that, as initially suspected, the message received was no more than a hoax. The person behind it and their motives remain unknown and under investigation but the school, its teachers and pupils were at no point under any genuine risk.

Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere in the county in recent days but it is only natural that the response among many parents was one of panic. The number of pupils being collected by parents, many of whom arrived well before finishing time, was significantly above normal and questions and concerns quickly spread across WhatsApp groups in the search for more information.

‘Are other schools affected?’ ‘Why are the police there?’ ‘What is the threat?’ Just some of the common questions.