Waregem School Threat: Police Increase Patrols Following Email

Waregem (Eurotoday) – A threatening email sent to Sint-Paulusschool campus Hemelvaart in Waregem prompted a swift police response. Officers thoroughly searched the school building but found no suspicious items. Despite the incident, educational activities proceeded without disruption, following the regular schedule. 

Sint-Paulusschool campus Hemelvaart, located in Waregem, received a threatening email that resulted in heightened security measures. Police authorities conducted a detailed inspection of the premises but found no imminent danger. Classes continued as scheduled, while law enforcement maintained an increased presence at the school throughout the day.

We immediately took the threat seriously and notified the police,

said director Rik Desmet.

The students and parents were also informed, but we did not have to cancel classes.

After a thorough search, police officers found nothing suspicious.

The threat could be anything,

remarked Jana Dewulf of the Mira police zone.

It could also just be a false alarm. During school hours, we are maintaining increased surveillance, meaning we remain present at the school gate.

It’s not pleasant, of course, but we shouldn’t panic either,

added Desmet.

Last year, we received a false bomb threat around the same time, which turned out to be a misplaced joke. This could be the case again.

How common are school threats in Belgium?

School threats, including bomb scares and other alarming messages, continue to be an issue in Belgium. Federal police data recorded 50 school threats across the country in 2023, many of which were later proven false.

The Flemish region, where Waregem is located, accounted for approximately 40% of recent bomb threats in Belgian schools. In response, authorities have implemented new security measures, including rapid police intervention, mandatory evacuations for serious threats, and digital monitoring by cybersecurity experts.

Since 2022, Sint-Paulusschool has also encountered a false bomb threat, echoing patterns seen globally following incidents of school violence. Belgium introduced stricter penalties for making false threats in 2020, including fines of up to €10,000 and potential prison sentences.

Experts emphasize that verifying the authenticity of threats remains a challenge, which is why authorities in Waregem have adopted precautionary lockdowns and reinforced surveillance. EU statistics indicate that Belgium ranks among European countries with one of the highest rates of school-related threats, though actual attacks remain rare.