Hundreds of schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland have received threatening emails warning of a possible explosive device, prompting emergency procedures and the evacuation of pupils in several locations.
The messages, which were distributed to schools across the UK on Wednesday, November 11, were reported to police and subsequently assessed as hoaxes.
More than 270 schools in Scotland are understood to have received the email, with affected areas including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife and the Highlands.
At least 300 schools in Northern Ireland also received the threatening message.
Meanwhile, Gardaí in the Republic of Ireland are investigating a series of threats directed at schools.
Pupils Sent Home as Schools Activate Emergency Procedures
Several schools decided to send pupils home after receiving the emails, with headteachers activating established emergency protocols.
In some locations, police officers were seen outside school premises as investigations got underway.
Pupils were also pictured gathering outside evacuated buildings, with some using foil blankets to keep warm amid falling temperatures.
Some headteachers appealed to parents not to collect their children immediately, as schools attempted to arrange emergency transport to take pupils home.
However, police subsequently advised that schools did not need to close or evacuate their premises based solely on the content of the emails.
Police Scotland Confirms Messages Are Hoaxes
Police Scotland confirmed that the threatening messages had been received by several schools across Scotland and other parts of the UK.
A spokesperson said the emails were immediately assessed and were being treated as hoaxes, adding that investigations had uncovered no evidence of a credible threat or wider danger to the public.
The statement read:
“On Wednesday, November 11, threatening messages were sent to a number of schools in Scotland and across the UK.
“These messages were immediately assessed and are being treated as hoaxes.
Our enquiries have established that there is nothing to suggest that they represent a credible threat or that there is any wider threat to the public.”
Police acknowledged the distress caused by the messages among pupils, parents, carers and school employees.
Officers also advised that there was no requirement to evacuate schools or keep children away from their education because of the emails.
Police Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Unit is investigating the origin of the messages, with officers working alongside law enforcement agencies across the UK and internationally.
Northern Ireland Police Investigate Threatening Email
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that it had received reports concerning a worrying email circulated to several schools across the region.
A police spokesperson said urgent enquiries were underway, with officers communicating directly with the schools affected.
The spokesperson added that further information would be provided as the investigation progressed.
Northern Ireland’s Education Authority also confirmed receiving reports of another threatening email sent to a large number of schools.
The authority said the latest message bore similarities to a bogus threat circulated the previous month, which the PSNI had declared a hoax.
It added that it was working with police to establish the nature of the latest communication.
The Education Authority said there was currently no evidence indicating a credible threat against schools, although institutions had been advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
Scottish Councils Reassure Parents Over School Safety
Several local authorities across Scotland issued statements addressing the threatening emails and reassuring families that there was no evidence of an immediate danger.
John McGhee, executive director of education at Glasgow City Council, said police had confirmed that the threatening email concerning a device was a hoax.
He explained that schools had been advised against evacuation and that officers would investigate the source of the messages.
Fife Council’s service manager, Kevin Funnell, also confirmed that several schools in the area had received bomb threat emails.
He said schools had followed established precautionary procedures and notified Police Scotland, adding that there was no information suggesting a credible threat.
Aberdeenshire Council similarly confirmed that schools in the area had received the email, which police quickly identified as a hoax.
The council said precautionary procedures had been followed and that the safety of pupils and staff remained its priority.
Highland Council also acknowledged receiving reports of threatening emails sent to schools across the region and elsewhere.
It said some schools had activated emergency protocols while awaiting further guidance from Police Scotland.
West Lothian and Inverclyde Schools Told to Continue as Normal
West Lothian Council confirmed that several schools had received the threatening email but said police had assured the authority there was no immediate danger.
Following discussions with officers, the council said schools had been advised to continue operating as planned.
A message was also being sent to parents and carers through the GroupCall communication system to explain the situation.
Inverclyde Council said schools had responded appropriately by following established safety procedures after receiving potentially threatening messages.
The authority confirmed that Police Scotland had advised there was no credible threat and that any schools which had introduced lockdown measures had been instructed to end them.
Angus Council also reported receiving hoax emails targeting schools in the area and across the UK.
The council said the messages had been reported immediately to Police Scotland, which was investigating their source.
Parents and carers were informed that there was no evidence suggesting a cause for concern or any requirement to evacuate schools.
East Lothian Council also confirmed that the circulating messages were being treated as hoaxes.
The authority said police had advised that schools should remain open and that it would continue following official guidance.
Bomb Threats Follow Similar Incident Last Month
The latest incident comes weeks after schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland were targeted by another series of malicious emails containing bomb threats.
Several schools were forced to close during the previous incident after receiving the messages, which were subsequently identified as hoaxes.
Northern Ireland’s Education Minister, Paul Givan, said at the time that the threat was Islamist in nature and had been signed off with the phrase “Allahu Akbar”.
The latest messages have prompted renewed investigations by police, with authorities working to establish who was responsible for distributing them.
Alliance Party MLA Condemns Threats
Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw condemned the latest bomb threats in a social media statement.
She described the messages as reckless and said they had caused unnecessary fear and distress among pupils, parents and school staff.
Bradshaw urged the public to remain calm and follow official guidance while expressing her thoughts for those affected by the incident.
