Police are investigating a bomb threat email sent to the English School in Nicosia on Monday.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, police said the email warned of an “explosive device” planted on the school premises.

Students and staff were evacuated while police carried out searches of the building.

No device was found and the threat was confirmed as a hoax.

Police said the threat may be connected to a new school directive requiring students to “hand in their mobile phones in a designated box during lessons,” though this link has not been confirmed.

Students at the English School told the Cyprus Mail the new policy requires all students to lock their phones in a Yondr pouch, a lockable fabric case that prevents access to the device until it is unlocked with a magnetic base, for the entire school day.

They decried such a policy as “inhumane” and said students intend to organise a protest against it.

Investigations into the source of the email are continuing, with police treating the matter as a criminal offence.

The Cyprus Mail contacted the English School for comment.