PUPILS were evacuated from their classrooms after a bomb threat which warned that shrapnel would “take children’s heads off”.

Youngsters and staff at Whiteley Primary School were forced to leave the building when police swooped after the call and dozens of officers swept the premises in search of a device.

Nothing was found after a thorough search.

Children were back in their classrooms by 11.30am yesterday, an hour and a half after the call.

The Fareham school was one of at least 26 in the UK to receive a bomb threat including Emsworth Primary School.

One of the 26 schools said they received “repeated” calls warning there was a bomb on site and that the caller said “the shrapnel will take children’s heads off”.

Another said the caller had threatened to shoot pupils and detonate a bomb while a third added the message was pre-recorded and over a minute and a half long, featuring an American voice which looped three times.

The caller told a receptionist that “if the school called the police the bomb would be detonated immediately”.

Whiteley Primary School head teacher Lesley Pennington wrote to parents after the incident saying: “The school was subject to a bomb threat which the police have assured us is a hoax.

“As a precaution, all children were evacuated from the building while the police came to sweep and check the school.

“We understand that you may be concerned, but rest assured, our emergency planning procedures worked effectively and the children were fantastic with their behaviour and attitude.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesman said: “The two schools in Hampshire took swift action in accordance with their emergency plans, informing the police, evaluating the risks and taking all necessary precautions to ensure the wellbeing of pupils and staff.

“In both schools, pupils were evacuated, parents were informed, and pupils were returned to their schools before lunchtime following police advice.

“In light of today’s events we are contacting all schools in Hampshire to remind them of the importance of having clear and well understood emergency procedures such as those that were effectively implemented by the schools today.”

Hampshire Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.

A force spokesman said: “There was a bomb threat call made to Whiteley Primary School at around 10 o’clock.

“The school was evacuated and then a search was completed. Nothing was found and children were back in class by around 11.30am.”

Anyone with any information about the hoaxes should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.