A 19-year-old man from Watford was arrested today after a hoax bomb threat closed hundreds of schools this week.

Police responded to reports from more than 400 schools and colleges across the country on Monday - including six in Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire Constabulary quickly confirmed the threats to bomb school grounds if money was not paid were a hoax.

A National Crime Agency spokesman has since said: “Hertfordshire police officers, working as part of an NCA-led investigation, arrested a 19-year-old man in Watford today on suspicion of blackmail and making malicious communications relating to the hoax bomb threat that closed hundreds of UK schools this week.

“We understand parents’ and teachers’ concerns but stress there was no credible threat to the emails schools received. However we are taking the communications extremely seriously.

“As this is now a live investigation we are unable to comment further.”