SCHOOLS across Bradford have been commenting on social media messages suggesting violent disorder would take place inside their grounds.

What started as an issue affecting Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College on Friday now seems to have spread across the district.

A large police presence was noted at one primary school to the east of the city yesterday.

The news about threats of violent disorder comes after police investigated incidents of disorder in Wibsey last week, including robberies carried out by masked males armed with weapons.

West Yorkshire Police arrested a male and he has since been bailed with conditions.

Appleton Academy, on Woodside Road in Wyke, say they have spoken to police and they "do not believe there is any credible threat".

The headteacher of Immanuel College Steve Mulligan also said an "increased police presence would be put in place throughout the week".

A letter to parents from Immanuel College, issued on Monday, said: "Earlier this morning, the school became aware of some local concerns following social media activity over the weekend.

"Please be reassured safeguarding is always our top priority and we take any local concerns very seriously.

"This morning, we spoke to local police and agreed an increased police presence would be put in place throughout the week to assist and provide assurance to pupils arriving and leaving the school site.

"The school site remains secure, there has been no abnormal activity during the day and school remains open as usual tomorrow."

A statement on the Appleton Academy website said: "We are of course aware of incidents which took place in Wibsey last week and led to the issues our colleagues at BBEC dealt with on Friday.

"We also know that there have been social media posts circulating, claiming that there will be similar incidents at other local schools this week, including Appleton Academy. 

"As a result of these posts, we spoke with the police last week and have also met with our Safer Schools Police Officer this morning before providing information to parents.

"We would like to assure you that the police do not believe there is any credible threat to Appleton Academy or any other school in our district.

"However, police will continue to provide a presence in the local area, in order to offer further reassurance.

"Our staff will also be on duty around the site at the start and end of the school day, as always, and have been briefed to be especially vigilant to anything of concern or that is out of the ordinary. 

"Please do feel free to speak to these staff if you have any worries and they will be happy to help.

"We would encourage parents to continue to send children to school as normal.

"We are happy with the information received from the police and believe that your children are safe to come to school.

"The information we have received is that much of the continuing speculation around these matters is now being driven by social media.

"We do not anticipate any ongoing issues as a result of what occurred locally last week."