Several NSW/ VIC Schools In Lockdown Following Threats; Police Operations Under Way

Police are investigating several NSW high schools in response to threats made against the institutions.

Update 2: The Daily Telegraph is now reporting that up to seven NSW schools are in lockdown. Schools with confirmed incidents include Penrith High School, Woolooware High School, Mona Vale Primary and St Monica’s Catholic Primary School. Lake Illawarra High School was temporarily evacuated but students were returned to class after a police sweep was conducted. The Department of Education has confirmed "[e]ach school is taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its students" and "[p]olice are attending at each location also as a precaution."

Update: Victoria Police have also confirmed several VIC schools have been evacuated in response to threats, "as a precaution."

The original story follows.

According to The Australian, a parent called 2GB radio to inform them that students have been evacuated from Woolooware High School, one of two schools in which police operations are under way.

A police operation is also in progress at Penrith High School, which is now in lockdown.

7News has said the police focus isn’t merely on those two high schools; rather, police are reportedly “dealing with threats made to schools in Woolooware, Ulladulla, Richmond, Penrith & Mona Vale.”

A statement from the NSW Police Force confirmed police operations at schools, in response to “numerous threats made to schools in the Metropolitan and Southern Regions.”

These investigations follow a spate of threats made against Australian universities late in 2015.

More news as it develops.