Editorial: Hoaxes more than mischief

Linda Hall.

Police were yesterday responding to more bomb threats at schools nationwide.

This is a serious matter, even though the calls have been hoaxes.

On Wednesday several schools were phoned about the same time, telling them there was a bomb on site.

One was Tamatea High School in Napier.

The school was evacuated and students sent home.

All schools contacted police straight away but not all took the precaution of evacuating their schools.

I congratulate both our police and Tamatea High School for taking the threat seriously.

Some schools reported it was an automated message. Is that why they thought it was a hoax?

Someone has taken the time to make these messages and, while I am not prone to scaremongering, I think police need to investigate this thoroughly.

Is it someone just making mischief?

If so, they have a pretty warped sense of humour.

When I was young it was funny to phone someone and ask if their fridge was running.

When they replied yes, I thought it hilarious to say "You better chase it, then."

Harmless pranks, annoying for the caller but still harmless.

These phone calls are of a completely different order.

Let's hope whoever is behind them gets caught quickly and dealt with severely. It's not funny.