Police Scotland has confirmed that threatening messages sent to schools across Scotland have been assessed and are being treated as a hoax, with nothing to suggest any threat to the public. The update follows Monday's incident that led to evacuations and closures, and comes after some parents said they would keep their children at home.
Hundreds of schools across the country received the threat on Monday morning, October 19, and many were evacuated or closed. Although a large number of pupils had not yet returned to classrooms following the October break, staff working during in-service days were told to go home. Police Scotland said it had received over 300 calls from concerned parents.
Police Assessment and Ongoing Inquiry
In a statement, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "On Monday, October 19, threatening messages were sent to a number of schools across Scotland. These messages have been assessed and are being treated as a hoax, with nothing to suggest any threat to the public."
The spokesperson added: "Officers and staff from Police Scotland's Cyber and Fraud Unit are working closely with partners and are continuing to carry out extensive inquiries to establish the source."
Parents' Reactions and School Reopenings
Schools and nurseries confirmed they would re-open to pupils today, but some parents told the Record earlier that they would not allow their children to return while the investigation remains open. Amber Hamilton, from Edinburgh, said: "We are expected to send our children back to school and nursery and carry on as normal, but how can parents feel reassured when there has been so little communication?"
Maxwell McCallum, from Leith in Edinburgh, said: "My kids will not be going to school - they can't even say what safety measures have been put out. I'm not risking my kids' lives." Amy White, also of Leith, said: "It's more than likely a hoax but my children's lives aren't worth that gamble. Until it's confirmed a hoax and no longer being investigated, my children will be off."
Local Impact and Council Responses
Around 148 of Glasgow schools received the threatening messages, with some evacuating before later returning. Some teachers in Inverclyde decided to work from home as a result of the threats. Nurseries in Stirlingshire remained open as normal.
In a letter to parents and guardians, Glasgow City Council confirmed it is continuing to work with police to look into the matter, stating that children's safety remains its top priority. North Lanarkshire Council said it was "working closely with Police Scotland" over the calls, adding that its schools "have well-established procedures for dealing with these type of incidents" and would remain open.
Edinburgh education convener councillor James Dalgleish said: "While I'm obviously relieved that this has been confirmed as a hoax, I'm hugely frustrated that someone would target schools and young people in this way – causing unnecessary disruption right across the UK. With it being an in-service day here in Edinburgh, the impact on our pupils was thankfully more limited but that doesn't take away from the stupidity of this person's actions. I am, however, reassured that our procedures were properly followed and that, as far as possible, we were able to put alternative arrangements in place."
Wider UK Context and Government Response
Threats to hundreds of schools in Northern Ireland are also not being treated as viable. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they are treating the threatening emails sent to hundreds of schools as a hoax, and that the message originated from outside the UK.
Yesterday the Scottish Government said it was informed about the threats. A spokesperson said: "We are aware threatening messages have been sent to a number of schools across Scotland and elsewhere in the UK. Police Scotland is investigating and treating (them) as a hoax."
