Schools across UK ‘evacuated’ after hundreds of ‘threatening emails’ as police probe

Schools across the UK, mainly in Scotland and Northern Ireland, have been forced to evacuate children from classrooms due to a suspected threat following a suspicious email

Multiple schools have been forced to evacuate children following a suspected threat. Several schools across the Northern Ireland and Scotland have reportedly received a ‘threatening email’, forcing police to launch urgent inquiries.

So far schools in Edinburgh have been forced outside from around 10am with around 300 schools in Northern Ireland also getting a suspected email threat. It comes weeks after a similar hoax threat caused similar scenes at UK schools.

According to the Scottish Sun, pupils In Kinross were reportedly seen under foil blankets after being evacuated.

Invergordon Academy sent a text to parents to say it “will be closing for the remainder of the day.” The message continued: ““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.”

According to Edinburgh News, Police Scotland said the messages were “immediately assessed and are being treated as hoaxes”.

A Police Scotland 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.

“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. They have been sent widely to distribution lists across the UK and Northern Ireland and our assessment remains that they do not represent a credible threat.

“Police Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Unit is carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the source of the messages, and officers continue to liaise with law enforcement partners across the UK and internationally.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said it is conducting urgent inquiries after a threatening email was sent to schools.

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. An update will be provided in due course.”

The Education Authority (EA) said the email has similarities with a hoax threat sent to schools across the region last month.

The statement 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.

“EA is liaising with police on this latest message. At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of any credible threat to schools.

“Investigations are continuing. It is for PSNI to determine the credibility or otherwise of any such message. As always, schools are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to PSNI.

“We fully appreciate that any message of this nature is distressing and can assure schools, parents/carers and children and young people that we will provide a further update following engagement with police.”

Last month, a number of schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland closed following a hoax bomb threat.

Stormont’s education minister Paul Givan said on that occasion the threat was “Islamist” and had been signed off “Allahu Akbar”.

In a social media post, Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw said: “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. My thoughts are with everyone affected.”