Four schools in Abbotsford were put into a temporary lockdown on Monday at 9 a.m. after the school district reported that it had received violent threats via email.

The Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) says that officers responded to the four schools and placed them into a temporary shelter-in-place to “ensure the safety of all students, staff, and began to investigate.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!

According to police, the affected schools were Abbotsford Senior Secondary, Abbotsford Middle School, W.J. Mouat Secondary, and Chief Dan George Middle School.

Shortly after officers did not identify any active threat, they lifted the lockdowns, and classes resumed.

After the incident concluded, the Abbotsford School District (ASD) provided more information to parents and guardians of the students.

The AbbyPD adds that officers will, however, remain close to the scene throughout the day.

No suspects have been arrested yet, and an investigation has been launched.

“Currently, today’s investigation appears to be that of a swatting incident,” the AbbyPD said in a written statement.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.

The threats to the ASD occurred on the same day when similar threats were made to a school in New Westminster.

However, the threats in New Westminster were not made until 2 p.m.

The police put the New Westminster Secondary School under a temporary lockdown, which was lifted shortly after, when no threat was identified.

Other schools in Metro Vancouver have received threats this year

Earlier in March and February this year, schools in Burnaby and Coquitlam received threats too, prompting several temporary shelter-in-place incidents.

A child psychiatrist says that those lockdowns are stressful situations for children, as they already have a greater sense of risk.

“The preparation of teachers and staff is what is most important,” said Dr. Tyler Black.

“There is so much time spent on preparing kids on what to do, but kids are kids. What we need, really, are well-prepared staff.”

He adds that parents and guardians can look out for distractibility or difficulties with sleeping or routines as indications of high stress or anxiety in children.

He explains that such incidents are proof that schools need more counsellors.