A "malicious communication" sent to a school in Hayes forced staff to send children home, it has emerged.

The Guru Nanak Sikh Academy said it decided to send children home on Friday (June 26) as a "precautionary safety measure" following the communication believed to have been via email.

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that it is investigating the incident but has not made any arrests at this stage or provided any further information following requests.

A letter was sent out to parents signed by Dr Bhullar and Ranjinder Sandhu, the chairman and principal respectively of the Multi Academy Trust which manages the school.

It is understood there was staff training on the Friday (June 26) but the academy told mums and dads in the letter that it sent staff and pupils home.

The letter stated: "On Friday 26th June the Academy received a malicious communication.

"The information was assessed by the Senior Leadership Team (lead of safeguarding) and in consultation with the principal Mr Sandhu, Metropolitan Police, Department for Education, and local authority, it was decide all members of staff and pupils should be sent home as a precautionary measure.

"I am pleased to state police have traced the source of the email and have assured us that there is no cause for alarm.

"We will would like to provide parents with full reassurance and confidence that their child's safety is the utmost paramount priority.

"The police have offered to provide a visible presence outside the school gates to reassure parents, students and staff."

The Guru Nanak Sikh Academy, which converted to academy status in 2010, educates pupils aged between four and 18 and is named after the founder of Sikhism.

A worried parent told Getwestlondon: "My son goes to that school, some parents told me about the email first.

"Then I saw police outside the school and received a letter. I want to know the whole story."

A Met spokesperson said that Hillingdon detectives are investigating the incident.