A hoax bomb threat at South Otago High School yesterday afternoon has left police and school staff feeling frustrated about the time wasted on the matter.
Sergeant Martin Bull, of Balclutha, said the threat was made via a phone call to the school office about 12.30pm.
The high school was evacuated immediately, but a sweep of the school found nothing.
The search was called off at 2.20pm and students were debriefed in the school hall.
South Otago High School principal Mike White said the most important thing was ensuring the safety of the pupils.
He said the whole of the school was frustrated at the time of police and emergency services being wasted investigating a hoax threat.
Senior Sergeant area response manager Alastair Dickie, of Balclutha, said police were confident the phone call was a hoax and were following a line of inquiries into the source of the threat.
Attending hoax threats could affect emergency services that had more important things to be dealing with.
Neighbouring Rosebank School was notified of the threat. Pupils were advised to remain indoors and avoid the cordoned-off area.
