Youth from UK responsible for threats to Kingston, Ont. schools, say police

Police say they have reason to believe a male youth from the United Kingdom was responsible for the school lockdowns in Kingston, Ont., in early December.

Over Dec. 5 and 6, 2018, several Kingston schools allegedly received threats over the phone that made them lock down or go under hold and secure.

In each case, Kingston police found that the threats were unsubstantiated.

WATCH: Pattern of high school lockdowns continues in Kingston

2:09 Pattern of high school lockdowns continues in Kingston

“As a result of the ongoing investigation, the Kingston Police have reasonable grounds to believe that a young person who resides in the United Kingdom was responsible,” Kingston police said in a news release.

In a press conference held by Kingston police on Thursday afternoon, Det. Const. Paul Robb said they had identified the suspect on Dec. 5, the first day of lockdowns. They contacted police in the United Kingdom who began an investigation into the youth’s activities immediately. Kingston police would not release where in the U.K. the suspect lives.

1:34 Police say a youth from U.K. is responsible for threats to Kingston schools

Robb said the youth had been communicating with people in Kingston via the internet, and some sort of interaction between the suspect and those in Kingston prompted the suspect to allegedly call in the threats.

WATCH: Police confirm social media connection to Kingston schools’ lockdowns

0:45 Police confirm social media connection to Kingston schools’ lockdowns

Police allege the youth is responsible for seven counts of public mischief and seven counts of uttering threats.

Local police are in the process of seeking a warrant for the arrest of the young person. There are no plans to extradite him and charges will only come into effect if the youth steps foot on Canadian soil and is arrested.

Robb said Kingston police were not looking to extradite the youth because his age would make extradition too complex.

A warrant will be in place in order to effect an arrest should the youth travel to Canada, say Kingston police. Because of their age, they cannot be named in either Canada or the United Kingdom.

WATCH: Douglas MacGregor, a behavioural consultant based out of Ottawa spoke with Bill Hutchins about a Twitter account that claimed responsibility for threats called in to 10 Kingston high schools.

3:20 Behavioural specialist speaks to possible Kingston lockdown suspect

Robb said there is a possibility that police in Great Britain will be able to charge the youth for the alleged crimes he committed in Kingston under the U.K.’s Malicious Communications Act. Robb also said an investigation is currently ongoing into actions he allegedly committed in his home country.

Det. Sgt. Jay Finn said the Canadian charges could stay in effect indefinitely, and he will be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act when arrested, no matter his age.

According to Kingston police, responding to the school threats cost the city $22,000.

Kingston police also said for their part, the local investigation is closed.