Police probe bomb hoax targeting hundreds of schools across UK, with evacuations reported

Threats reach schools

Police said hundreds of schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland were targeted by hoax bomb threats. The messages originated outside the UK, according to the report, and dozens of schools evacuated students and staff.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said more than 300 schools had reported a concerning email. The Education Authority said the message resembled a bogus threat sent the previous month, which PSNI had declared a hoax, and that it was working with police.

Police issue guidance

Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said police took incidents of this kind very seriously and understood the concern among communities, school staff, students and parents. He urged people to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Police Scotland said the messages could be distressing, but advised that schools did not need to evacuate or keep children away from education solely because of the emails. John McGhee, Glasgow City Council’s executive director of education, said police had confirmed the threat was a hoax and schools should not be evacuated.

Highland Council said emergency protocols were activated in its schools while officials awaited further guidance from police. McGhee said children, young people and staff remained the council’s top safety priority.

Earlier threat and wider alerts

Schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland also closed after a hoax bomb threat the previous month. Stormont education minister Paul Givan described that threat as “Islamist” and said it had been signed off “Allahu Akbar”.