A teenager has been arrested after a hoax threat forced an Ipswich high school to close.

Suffolk police said the teenage female was arrested on suspicion of malicious communication in relation to the closure of Stoke High School in Maidenhall Approach on Thursday, February 8.

The high school was closed that day due to malicious communications which were treated as a “direct threat”.

The suspect, whose age has not been confirmed, was arrested on Thursday, February 15 and was taken to Martlesham police investigation centre for questioning before being released on bail.

She will answer bail on Wednesday, May 15, police said.

At 7.20am on the day of the incident, police were called because of a hoax threat and an email was sent out by the school informing parents it would be closed.

The email said: "We treat every situation with the utmost caution, and are following the necessary procedures in line with our safety protocols, as the health and safety of our students and staff remains our leading priority.

"We are working closely with the police and relevant authorities to support their investigation and ensure that all safety procedures are followed.”

A spokesperson for Stoke High School Ormiston Academy later confirmed the threat was a hoax.

The spokesperson said: “A message was received via the academy website. In line with our robust safety protocols, staff on site immediately evacuated and the police were contacted.

"Having thoroughly investigated, the police have said there is nothing to indicate at this time that this is a credible threat, and have asked the public not to be alarmed.

“To enable the authorities to assess and confirm the safety and security of the school site, we took the precautionary decision to close the school to students for the day."

An Ipswich borough councillor later praised the school’s swift response to the threat, even though it turned out to not be credible.