French officials warn young people they face heavy punishment for bomb threats

Justice minister Eric Dupond-Moretti blamed “little jokers, little clowns” and vowed: “They will be found, they will be punished"

Police officers patrol during the funeral ceremony of French teacher Dominique Bernard, 57, who was stabbed to death at the school by a suspected Islamist extremist, in Arras, northern France, on Thursday (Michel Spingler/AP)

France’s government is threatening prison terms and heavy fines for callers who make fake bomb threats – after a string of false alarms forced the evacuation of 15 airports and cancellation of 130 flights and shut the doors of Versailles Palace three times in five days.

French officials suggested young people and children may be responsible.