A 36-year-old man has been arrested following a bomb hoax that led to the evacuation of Badbury Park Primary School and surrounding homes in Swindon earlier today (25 February 2025).
The incident unfolded in the early afternoon after the school’s office received a call falsely claiming an explosive device had been planted on the premises. In response, Wiltshire Police swiftly evacuated the school, as well as nearby residents, and established a safety cordon around the area.
Evacuation and Investigation
Officers conducted a thorough sweep of Badbury Park Primary School with support from specialist teams. No suspicious packages or devices were found, and the cordon was lifted later in the evening, allowing Rainscombe Road to reopen and residents to return to their homes.
Superintendent Steve Cox praised the rapid response of his team and the community’s cooperation:
“This swift arrest should offer reassurance to the people of Wiltshire that the widespread fear and disruption caused by hoax calls will not be tolerated. We endeavour to investigate hoax calls robustly and with utmost sincerity.”
He also extended gratitude to the community, adding: “I would like to offer my personal thanks to the teachers, pupils, parents, and residents for their cooperation and composure while my officers evacuated the area. Special thanks to The Spotted Cow for providing a safe and warm space for evacuees during the incident.”
Arrest Made
A 36-year-old man from Marlborough was arrested shortly after 8:00pm on suspicion of making a bomb hoax. He is currently being held at Gable Cross Police Station where he remains in custody as enquiries continue.
Community Impact
The hoax caused significant disruption and fear among pupils, parents, and local residents. Badbury Park Primary School has confirmed it will reopen as usual tomorrow but will offer additional support to any pupils or staff affected by the incident.
Local parent Samantha James expressed her relief: “It was terrifying to get that call about the evacuation, but I’m so grateful everyone is safe and that the police handled it so quickly.”
Appeal for Information
Wiltshire Police have urged anyone with further information regarding the incident to come forward.
- Call Wiltshire Police: 101, quoting incident reference 25/0809
- Crimestoppers: Report anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Strong Stance Against Hoaxes
Authorities are reminding the public that making false bomb threats is a serious criminal offence, often resulting in significant police resources being diverted from genuine emergencies.
Superintendent Cox concluded: “Hoax calls not only cause fear and distress but also waste valuable police time and resources. We will pursue these cases diligently to ensure offenders are brought to justice.”
