Blackpool school to have 'visible police presence' after Facebook user threatens mass shooting

The user posted as series of message of the social networking site saying he planned to 'kill as many people as possible' at Montgomery High in Bispham on Monday

The Facebook user said the attack on Montgomery High School would be revenge for alleged bullying (Google Maps)

A school in Blackpool will have a "visible police presence" after its pupils were threatened with a mass shooting.

Montgomery High School in the village of Bispham in Blackpool was targeted in a series of Facebook posts threatening to "kill as many people as possible".

In the posts, the alleged plotter praised the perpatrators of American mass shootings and said the gun attack would be in revenge for alleged bullying.

He said: "Nobody talks to me or notices me except when they're calling me a nerd and pushing me around.

"As soon as I tell people I’ve got a gun, I start getting bombarded with messages."

When challenged by another student, he said he was serious about his threat: "You think it's a joke? You'll see bullets, bodies, and blood."

Lancashire Police insisted that "there is nothing to suggest these messages pose a credible threat" but they will still be on site as a precaution.

In a statement they said: "We are aware of the posts on social media concerning Montgomery High School, Bispham and are investigating the source and content of these messages.

"There is nothing to suggest these messages pose a credible threat and the school will be open as normal on Monday morning.

"We are continuing to liaise closely with Montgomery High School and there will be a visible police presence when term begins on Monday to offer reassurance to parents, pupils, staff and the wider community and to ensure the safety of all.

"Our inquiries to identify who is responsible for posting these messages remain on-going."

Principal Tony Nicholson said in a statement to parents and carers that he was satisfied that the police were doing everything possible to investigate and had been "providing strong support".

A statement read: "You may be aware of references on social media from an anonymous source regarding Monday 4th January 2016 at Montgomery High School.

"Staff at the school were quick to spot this posting and the matter was immediately referred by the school to the police."

Additional reporting by PA