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A school in Coleraine was placed in emergency lockdown on Friday after reports of sinister threats from so-called 'killer clowns' on social media.

Pupils at Coleraine Grammar School were kept indoors throughout the day following the appearance an Instagram message shortly after 9am.

All entrances and exits were secured and students were not allowed into the playground during break times and the PSNI guarded the school at lunchtime with a "considerable" presence.

The source of the message is being investigated.

The creepy warning claimed that killer clowns would target the school at 1pm but the PSNI believe it was a hoax.

The parent of one pupil at the school said she has received a text message from her daughter who was upset because the potential threat was being treated seriously by the school.

She said: "This killer clown craze is out of hand and my daughter was sure it was only a joke but she found it very creepy and she texted me to say she was safe.

"I was worried about what had happened but the school did the right thing and secured its premises and is pupils just in case.

"I suspect the message on Instagram may have been from a pupil at the school who thought it was funny, or perhaps an other nearby school. But it's really not funny and the younger pupils could have been very distressed. Everyone loves a prank but this got out of hand.

"The police sent officers to the school to check everything out but everyone was safe."

Principal at Coleraine Grammar, Dr David Carruthers, said: "We heard this morning that there were rumours on Instagram that the recent internet ‘clown’ phenomenon would happen at lunchtime today in school.

"Pupil safety is paramount and an internet search will show you that these so-called clowns are sinister in nature and completely unacceptable in a school context.

"I discussed the rumours with the police in Coleraine and took up their offer to have a presence around school at lunch time. The police treated the situation seriously and I would like to thank them for their support.

"There was also a significant staff presence outside at break and lunch and I am grateful to the staff for their help.

"In the event, nothing happened at either campus. Inevitably, there have been further internet rumours but nothing happened.

"If there is any recurrence of a rumour of this type, similarly robust action as was taken today will be implemented again.

"I wish to reassure the school community that the pupils were not in any danger at any point."

In a statement the PSNI said: "Police have received several reports in relation to posts that have been made on social media platforms where individuals have suggested dressing in clown costumes and going to schools to scare students and teachers.

"Police are aware that posts of this nature have been placed on various social media platforms by people living in England and Dublin."

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Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin added: “I would advise anyone who may be considering posting information on social media platforms to consider what they’re saying. Encouraging behaviour that has the potential to generate fear or indeed posting threatening messages can lead to a criminal record.

“Crime is crime, whether in the virtual world or the real world and there are consequences. Please don’t get caught up in something that could jeopardise your future.”