Schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland were evacuated on Wednesday after receiving a threatening email with the subject line "DEATH IS NEAR," prompting urgent investigations by Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Around 300 schools in Northern Ireland received the suspected threat, while schools in Edinburgh began evacuating pupils from about 10am. The email, purportedly from the leader of the "Red Owl" project, claimed a "powerful explosive device" had been left in the building and included threats of "genocide against your people" and an intention to target the Prime Minister's car.
Police treat emails as hoaxes
Police Scotland stated the messages were "immediately assessed and are being treated as hoaxes." A spokesperson said: "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."
The spokesperson added: "We understand how distressing messages of this nature can be for pupils, parents, carers and school staff, and the concern they can understandably cause. Our advice is that there is no requirement to evacuate schools or keep children away from education based solely on the content of the emails."
Police Scotland's Cyber and Fraud Unit is carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the source of the messages, with officers liaising with law enforcement partners across the UK and internationally.
Northern Ireland schools affected
The PSNI confirmed it received reports of a concerning email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland and is conducting urgent inquiries. A statement said: "Police received reports today, Wednesday 11th November, of a concerning email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland. As a result of this email, police are conducting urgent inquiries and liaising with the schools in question."
The Education Authority (EA) noted the email bears similarities to a hoax threat sent to schools the previous month, which was declared a hoax by the PSNI. The EA said: "We are aware that another threatening email message has today been sent to a large number of schools in NI. The message has similarities with a bogus threat sent last month, which was declared a hoax by PSNI."
In Scotland, pupils in Kinross were reportedly seen wrapped in foil blankets following evacuation. Invergordon Academy sent a text message to parents confirming it "will be closing for the remainder of the day," adding: "Pupils will be sent home with immediate effect. Those pupils that are unable to get home will be kept in the leisure centre until we can organise transport."
Previous hoax and political reaction
The incident comes weeks after a similar bomb hoax prompted evacuations at schools across the UK. On that occasion, Stormont's education minister Paul Givan confirmed the threat was "Islamist" in nature and had been signed off "Allahu Akbar."
Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw said on social media: "I strongly condemn the reckless bomb threats sent to schools this morning. Such actions are unacceptable, causing fear and distress among pupils, parents and staff. Please remain calm and follow official guidance."
The EA advised schools to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the PSNI, with further updates to follow after engagement with police.
