Schools across Australia have been the subject of ‘numerous threats’, police have confirmed.

In a brief statement, issued early on Friday afternoon, New South Wales police said the threats were made to facilities in the Metropolitan and Southern Regions.

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They added: “Investigations are continuing, and police are liaising with the Department of Education.

“Police are warning that making such threats is a serious criminal offence and every effort will be made to identify the person or persons responsible.”

Less than an hour later, Victoria Police also confirmed that schools in their state were under threat, and were being evacuated.

Their statement read: “Victoria Police is aware that a number of Victorian schools have received a threatening phone call today.

“The schools are being evacuated as a precaution.

“We are aware that schools in a number of other states and countries have received similar phone calls in the past 24 hours.”

ABC 702 Sydney reported that police operations in New South Wales were “under way at Woolooware High School in the Sutherland Shire and at Penrith High School in Sydney’s west.” They also said Mona Vale Public School was affected.

When asked by The New Daily to clarify which schools were affected, NSW police declined to offer further information as the ‘operation continues’.

Police have urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

– More to come