Mailbox Threats Target School Children
June 17, 2015 | Security
Two families have received letters threatening to harm their children and demanding payment.
Police said the families, which live in Christchurch suburb Mt Pleasant, found the letters in their mailboxes over the past week. Both families' children attend Mt Pleasant School.
Detective Inspector Murton said police were taking the matter "very seriously" and had a team of detectives working on identifying the author of the letters.
"We have also put in place additional security for the families involved and have increased police patrols in the area.
"While there is no evidence of a genuine threat towards any children at Mt Pleasant School, parents have been advised of the existence of the letters."
Mt Pleasant School board of trustees chairman Marty Anderson said the school would issue a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
Sumner School sent out a "parent alert" this morning, asking parents to be "consider how your children are currently getting to and from school and to think carefully before allowing your children to play anywhere on the school grounds without adult supervision".
The school said the threats were "obviously of great concern for all the families in the Mount Pleasant community," the email said.
"The advice we have been given is that in all likelihood this is a localised threat and there is nothing to suggest that our children are in any danger."
The school had informed staff about the situation and asked them to be particularly vigilant around bell times and while on duty.
Anyone receiving similar threats should contact police immediately.
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- Article originally on stuff.co.nz.