Police probe new threats against Deventer school
Police are investigating new threat messages targeting the Etty Hillesum Lyceum (EHL) in Deventer, RTV Oost reported. All school locations remained open Monday following consultations with authorities.
The school’s central administration informed parents and guardians Sunday that threatening messages had circulated online and that police were immediately notified. After reviewing the situation, police and school officials decided there was no reason to close any campuses.
“At this moment, there is no reason to close the school on Monday,” spokesperson Stefanie den Biggelaar-van den Boogaart said. By mid-morning Monday, she added, “There is a calm atmosphere at the schools.”
Authorities have not disclosed details about the nature of the threat. Den Biggelaar-van den Boogaart said it involves “a general threat, consisting of screenshots that have been shared on social media,” and that it targets all EHL locations. The account responsible for posting the messages has since been removed.
The incidents follow previous threats against the school. In February last year, messages specifically targeted students and staff at the De Marke Noord, De Marke Zuid, Het Vlier, and Het Stormink locations. Those threats referenced a violent act, but schools remained open at the time with additional security measures in place.
The author of last year’s messages appeared familiar with the school and named students, former students, and staff directly. The sender described a “revenge action” over a diploma that was not awarded and threatened an attack. In the fall of 2024, the school also faced threats, prompting several EHL locations to close for a day after a threatening email.
