Bournemouth Uni student arrested after faux bomb threat saw campus buildings evacuated

Dorset Police said the threat was made in a ‘malicious electronic communication’


A Bournemouth University student has been arrested after a faux bomb threat saw campus buildings evacuated last week.

Students reported that the uni’s Poole House had been evacuated along with a police presence on campus on Thursday last week.

Dorset Police confirmed they attended a call about a “malicious online communication” that suggested a breach of student safety. However, after investigating, the police found “no evidence to indicate a genuine security threat”, but added that hoaxes were still treated with the upmost importance.

Now a 19-year-old male student has been arrested following the incident after an alleged faux bomb threat was made but has since been released under investigation.

The Tab has obtained a screenshot that appears to show the alleged “malicious communication” and is working to determine the accuracy of the message.

Dorset police said: “Dorset Police received a report at 2.19pm on Thursday 2nd February 2023 of a security alert at a lecture theatre at Bournemouth University’s Talbot Campus relating to a malicious electronic communication.

“Officers attended and assisted university staff in evacuating the building as precaution.

“There is no evidence to indicate the security threat was genuine. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the offence of bomb hoax – communicating false information. He has been released under investigation as enquiries continue.

“We would like to thank students at the university for their cooperation during the evacuation.

“Anyone with information relating to the incident is urged to contact us at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence 5520017348.”

A spokesperson for Bournemouth University said at the time: “Due to a safety concern we have had to close some of the lecture theatres in and adjacent to Poole House for the rest of the day,” confirming that all university buildings were open the following day.

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