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Aussie police dismiss recent threats against schools as hoax

Xinhua, February 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

The threats made to Australian schools over the past several days appeared to be hoax calls from overseas "designed to cause unnecessary disruption," local authorities said on Tuesday.

Schools in New South Wales (NSW) state were being searched by police for the third consecutive day while schools in Queensland state were also being evacuated after threatening phone calls were received on Tuesday morning.

Schools in New South Wales were put into lockdown on Monday while both NSW and Victorian students were evacuated last Friday following multiple phone threats to local, interstate and overseas schools.

Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters on Tuesday she had only preliminary advice on the school closures, but noting police are taking the issue "extremely seriously."

Schools have been evacuated with students mustered on nearby sporting fields until authorities conclude their searches and give clearance to resume classes and learning.

New South Wales Police dismissed the threats against the state's schools as nothing other than hoaxes designed to cause disruption and garner media attention.

"The threats appear to come from overseas with no credible evidence they could be carried out here," NSW police said in a statement.

"Police investigations are continuing into the hoax calls and their source." Endit