A bomb scare prompted the evacuation of children from the Shir Ami synagogue in Newtown Township on Thursday, according to police.
Newtown Township police and firefighters responded to the synagogue located on Richboro-Newtown Road by the Newtown Bypass at approximately 12:05 p.m. after the synagogue received an email threat.
Police said the email was a bomb threat.
The synagogue made the decision to evacuate children from the school and alert law enforcement, according tpolice.
A thorough search was conducted by school personnel, police officers, and specially trained bomb-detection K-9 units, which were coincidentally training nearby.
The search uncovered no evidence of explosives, police said.
While the investigation was underway, children were temporarily relocated to an alternate location.
The Newtown Police Department and the FBI were investigating the threat.
The threat was not isolated and similar ones have been reported in other parts of the state, police said.
The situation comes amid a recent increase in threats against Jewish religious institutions.
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.
“If you see something, say something,” the Newtown Township Police Department advised, directing people to contact 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.
