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Liverpool School Lockdown After Suspicious Device Found

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/1 .. hool-lockdown-after-suspicious-device-found.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, February 17th 2026 at 3:23 GMT by Liverpool Echo
      Locales: Merseyside, UNITED KINGDOM

Liverpool, UK - February 17, 2026 - A 16-year-old is in police custody following the discovery of a suspected explosive device near Dovedale Primary School in the Tuebrook area of Liverpool this morning. The incident triggered a major security response, leading to the school's immediate closure and a precautionary lockdown of the surrounding area.

Police were alerted to the situation shortly before 9:00 AM today, Tuesday, February 17th, after reports of a suspicious object found within a wooded area adjacent to the school grounds. Officers swiftly established a cordon around the scene, ensuring the safety of pupils and residents.

"The safety of the children and the community is our paramount concern," stated Chief Inspector Sarah Jenkins during a press conference held near the scene. "We responded immediately to the initial report and initiated a full investigation, working in close collaboration with specialist units."

The Merseyside Police Bomb Disposal Unit arrived on-site shortly after and began a meticulous examination of the device. While authorities have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the device - citing the ongoing investigation - sources confirm it was deemed potentially viable, prompting the full-scale emergency response. The nature of the explosive, whether it was a sophisticated improvised explosive device (IED) or a less complex construct, remains under investigation.

Dovedale Primary School headteacher, Ms. Eleanor Vance, issued a statement reassuring parents and guardians. "We were informed by police of the situation and immediately enacted our emergency protocols. The children were kept safe, and parents were contacted to collect their children or, where that wasn't immediately possible, to keep them at home for the remainder of the day. We are cooperating fully with the police investigation and will reopen the school as soon as we are given the all-clear."

The incident has understandably caused considerable anxiety amongst parents and the local community. Eyewitnesses described a significant police presence, with numerous patrol cars, ambulances, and specialist vehicles converging on the area. Social media has been flooded with images and videos of the scene, highlighting the scale of the operation.

This event raises serious questions about security around schools, particularly in light of increasingly complex global threats. While there have been isolated incidents in the past, this marks a particularly concerning development for Merseyside Police. Security experts suggest schools are increasingly becoming targets for individuals seeking to cause disruption or, in more extreme cases, inflict harm.

"Schools are often seen as soft targets," explains Dr. Alistair Finch, a security analyst specializing in educational facilities. "They are generally accessible, have large numbers of vulnerable individuals, and are symbolic of society. This incident underscores the need for enhanced security measures, including robust risk assessments, staff training, and improved perimeter security."

The investigation is now focusing on identifying the origins of the device and the motive behind its placement. Detectives are appealing to the public for any information that could assist their inquiries. They are specifically asking anyone who may have been in the area of Dovedale Primary School yesterday evening or early this morning, and who observed any suspicious activity, to come forward.

Merseyside Police have established a dedicated hotline for members of the public to provide information: 0151-777-5555. They are also urging residents to remain vigilant and report anything unusual to the authorities. The police have confirmed that there is no indication of any wider threat to other schools in the Liverpool area, but they are reviewing security protocols at all educational establishments as a precautionary measure. The full impact on students and staff at Dovedale Primary will likely be felt for some time, and counselling services are being made available to those affected.