Police urge public to ‘remain vigilant’ after threat to B.C. university campus

Thompson Rivers University is shown in an image from the school's website.

Mounties are stepping up patrols around a British Columbia university campus this week due to an unspecified threat against the school.

A statement Thursday from the Kamloops RCMP detachment says police are working with administrators at Thompson Rivers University after the threat was reported to authorities on March 26.

The statement said police are “actively investigating the nature and source of the threat,” working to determine its reliability while also “being mindful that threats can be made to create disruption and to achieve notoriety.”

The police response comes amid a week that saw violent threats made against several schools in Abbotsford and Langley.

On Monday, authorities determined the threats in those communities were likely attempts at “swatting,” in which false reports of serious incidents are intended to trigger a significant response from police.

Cpl. Dana Napier, in an emailed statement to CTV News, said investigators in Kamloops “are not able to confirm” if the Thompson Rivers University threat is related to the threats in Langley and Abbotsford at this time.

The Kamloops RCMP says it will work with safety officials at Thompson Rivers University through the weekend as its investigation into the origin of the threat continues.

“As part of a combined response, we are working with TRU Safety Services to have an increased presence in and around the campus over the next few days,” Napier said.

“We are asking people to remain vigilant, be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.”