AN appeal for information has been launched after a bomb hoax led to the evacuation of students and staff at the West Herts College Leggatts Campus in Watford.

The incident occurred on Monday, April 22, when two separate false calls were made by a male suspect.

One call was made directly to the college's switchboard at about 9.20am, but the caller did not state the bomb's location; another was made via the 999 system with the caller specifying the bomb was in Leggatts campus.

A police spokesman said that the campus had been evacuated prior to the police arrival, and after a thorough search of the premises the students were re-admitted to the campus at 12.45pm.

Inspector Matt Nicholls, who co-ordinated the police reponse to the incident, said: "Bomb hoaxes are very serious offences, which can led to prison sentences of up to seven years. We are investigating this incident fully and are working with the full cooperation of the college."

He added: "It should be stressed that these types of incidents take up a large number of police resources, which could be needed for other emergency incidents across the area."

A West Herts College spokesman added: "Our prime concern is always for the safety of our staff and students. It is standard practice to take the advice of the emergency services and evacuate in such circumstances, and therefore a hoax of this type does not disrupt normal college activity. We are grateful to the police for their prompt response to this incident."

Anyone with information about the identity of offender or offenders, should call the Western Area Crime Unit, in confidence, on 01923 472065.

Alternatively, they can telephone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555 111 and may be eligible for a cash reward as a result of their information.

April 23, 2002 17:30