Bruntsfield Primary evacuated over '˜suspicious' item in playground

A city primary school was evacuated this morning after a suspicious 'item' was found in the playground.

Bruntsfield Primary was evacuated today. Picture: Jon Savage

Bosses at Bruntsfield Primary School said pupils were taken out of their classrooms after a member of staff ‘discovered an item within the playground that caused them concern’, understood to be a small cardboard box.

In an email to parents, head teacher Carol Kyle said police were contacted but the item “was found to pose no risk to the public and has since been safely removed”.

She added: “Our pupils and staff were able to return to the school after approximately 45 minutes and things are back to normal.

“The Police have told us they are not linking this incident to the recent telephone hoaxes at three Edinburgh secondary schools earlier this week.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Officers were called to Bruntsfield Primary School at around 10:50am on Wednesday, February 3, after a member of staff discovered an item within the playground that caused them concern.

“The school took the decision to evacuate the building as a precautionary measure however, upon inspection, the item was found to pose no risk to the public and has since been safely removed.

“Children and teachers returned to the school a short time later.

“Our inquiries into this matter are ongoing and anyone who has relevant information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”