Schools and businesses in the Antrim area of Northern Ireland received a sinister email claiming pipe bombs had been left on their premises, with the sender threatening to arrive armed with weapons
A menacing email has been sent to schools claiming that pipe bombs had been planted “inside and outside.” The email, which Belfast Live. has obtained, also alleged that the sender would be visiting every school it had been sent to “armed with multiple guns and knives to attack and hurt as many people as possible”.
The sender declared that “Antrim will remember this day” and supplied an address in the town, alleging that to be where they could be reached.
South Antrim DUP MLA Trevor Clarke condemned the email and said: “This email appears to have been sent to people associated with a number of schools and specifically references Antrim.
“While any threat must be taken seriously, it is important that alarm is not caused unnecessarily and the wording of the message does raise some questions.
“The message has also been shared online and is there is an understandable concern on the part of parents in particular.
“I want to reassure them and the wider community that I have community that I have spoken to police this morning, and they have opened an investigation. It is important that we follow any advice which the police give to school leaders.”
He added: “Whatever the background to this message, it is important that whoever sent it is identified and dealt with appropriately.”
A PSNI spokesperson stated: “Police received reports today, Tuesday 19th May, of an email having been sent to multiple schools and businesses in the County Antrim area.
“Officers are investigating the contents included within this email, and are conducting a number of enquiries. Reassurance patrols have also been increased in the areas affected, in order help keep our communities safe.
“We would urge anyone to report anything suspicious to police on our 101 number, always 999 in an emergency.
“Police will also be engaging with anyone affected including schools, businesses and our partner agencies throughout the course of today as our enquiries continue.”