The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is treating a bomb threat email sent to hundreds of schools as a hoax.
Up to 300 schools have reported receiving the same emailed message containing a generalised threat, the PSNI said. It is believed similar correspondence has been received by some schools across the UK.
On Monday morning, a number of schools closed after receiving emails claiming viable bomb devices were on site. Police said checks and enquiries so far have not discovered anything untoward and confirmed the email originated from outside the UK.
Threat details and school closures
Stormont's education minister, Paul Givan, described the threat as “Islamist” and said it had been signed off “Allahu Akbar”. Speaking to reporters at Stormont, he said the email was “threatening that Sharia law will be brought into our country and that there is viable devices within those school settings and it was signed off ‘Allahu Akbar’”.
“Some schools have closed as a result of this threat being received through formal communication channels to those schools, something that I absolutely condemn is that there has been this level of disruption caused to young people’s education,” he said.
He added: “This is something that ought to be condemned by everybody, and I am hugely disappointed that for some schools they have had to close, but it is not something that we are regarding as a viable threat, but nevertheless, hugely disruptive and very distressing.”
Police response and ongoing enquiries
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the police “understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in some school communities and for students and parents.”
“Our enquiries are ongoing, however, at this stage we consider risk to the public as low,” he said. “We will continue to liaise with schools impacted and have been working closely with the Department of Education and the Education Authority this morning to provide reassurance.”
In a statement, the Education Authority said it is “aware that a number of schools across Northern Ireland have received a threatening email this morning”.
“We recognise the concern this may cause for school leaders, staff, pupils and families,” they said. “We are engaging closely with the PSNI and will act on their advice. Communications have been issued to schools, and we continue to support school leaders and keep them informed.”
