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A suspicious incident at a secondary school sparked a mass evacuation today with police "escorting children out in small groups".

Officers were called to Birley Academy in Sheffield after South Yorkshire Police were alerted at 9:40am this morning.

A spokesman for the force said the college chose to immediately evacuate students as a "precautionary measure" after a caller falsely claimed there was a 'device' on the premises.

Cops confirmed no device has been found and they are now searching for a hoax caller, who could face a prison sentence.

This morning, one parent, Mark Wale, tweeted: "Anyone with a child at Birley Academy, something has happened at school so kids are being sent home.

"[My] daughter called me. They were escorted out by police in small groups."

Has your child been affected by the incident at Birley Academy today? Please contact webnews@mirror.co.uk

(Image: Darren O'Brien/Guzelian) (Image: Darren O'Brien/Guzelian)

Mr Wale claims he received this text from the academy: "Unfortunately there has been an incident at school today and the building has been evacuated.

"It may be some time until we can return, students are being sent home, please collect them from Birley Lane main entrance if you are able to. Please do not call school as there is no one on reception."

Chief Superintendent Natalie Shaw said: “After a prolonged search of Birley Academy a device has not been found. Enquiries are ongoing to identify the caller. Hoax calls are malicious and irresponsible and anyone found to have made a hoax call could face a prison sentence.

“Officers were called to Birley Academy in Sheffield after police were alerted to a suspicious incident at 9.40am this morning, Monday 18 December. The college chose to immediately evacuate students as a precautionary measure.”