A bomb hoax that closed hundreds of schools across the country today threatened to commit a ‘genocide against your people’.
Thousands of pupils were sent home after threatening emails were sent to schools across Scotland – including Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Highlands – and Northern Ireland.
The messages were sent under the alias – Mikhail Andropov – which was also used in bomb threats sent to European television broadcasters, including Ireland’s RTE and Sky, on Friday.
The subject of the emails was DEATH IS NEAR’. The messages then read: ‘This is Mikhail Andropov, leader of the ‘Red Owl’ project.
‘We’ve come to destroy you. We’re going to carry out a genocide against your people. I’ve been preparing this for a long time – to kill every single one of you.’
Detectives have confirmed the suspicious emails, which prompted heads to activate ’emergency protocols’, were immediately investigated and do not ‘represent a credible threat’. They advised schools that there was no need to close.
But officers were seen outside a number of schools, while elsewhere pupils stood huddled on school fields under foil blankets to keep warm in plunging temperatures.
More than 470 schools in Scotland were understood to have received a threatening email about a ‘device’, after the message was sent to distribution lists across the UK.
Parents collect children from a meeting point in Inverness after a school shut today
At least 300 schools in Northern Ireland also received the email. In addition, Gardaí in the Republic of Ireland were investigating a series of threats made to schools there. Italy‘s education ministry also said more than 300 schools received bomb threat emails.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said there was no ‘concrete danger’ to students in Italy, but confirmed she had called a government meeting about the situation.
Some headteachers who decided to close urged parents not to pick up their children from school, as they instead tried to organise emergency transport to get them home.
It comes after another nationwide bomb threat hit schools in Scotland last month, with the malicious emails in that incident also identified as hoaxes. The warning referring to an ‘explosive device’ was signed ‘Allahu Akbar’ and appeared to be from Islamists threatening to impose Sharia on the UK.
The latest threat to schools also follows a series of bomb threats sent to European airlines last week which saw dozens of planes make unplanned landings or be escorted by fighter jets.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘On Wednesday, November 11, threatening messages were sent to a number of schools in Scotland and across the UK.
‘These messages were immediately assessed and are being treated as hoaxes. 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.’
A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said: ‘Police received reports today of a concerning email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland.
‘As a result of this email, police are conducting urgent enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question. An update will be provided in due course.’
John McGhee, executive director of education at Glasgow City Council, said: ‘You may be aware of media reports this morning about a threatening email about a device in schools that has been sent to schools across the country – our police colleagues have confirmed this is a hoax and that schools should not be evacuated.
‘Police officers will investigate the source of these emails We will continue to work closely with our police colleagues as part of the investigation.’
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesman said: ‘Schools in Edinburgh were briefly evacuated as a precaution this morning, following receipt of threatening messages.
‘These threats have now been confirmed by Police Scotland not to be credible, with messages being treated as a hoax.
‘The safety of children and young people, and all who work in our schools, is our top priority and we will always act in line with our safety protocols and procedures, as we did today. We understand the impact this can have on families and want to reassure parents and carers that our schools are safe, and there is no need to remove your child.
‘We continue to work closely with Police Scotland and will keep schools updated as further information becomes available.’
Fife Council’s service manager Kevin Funnell said: ‘We are aware that a number of schools received an email containing a bomb threat this morning.
Pupils huddle under foil blankets to keep warm after a school in Scotland is evacuated today
‘As a precaution, schools have followed established procedures and Police Scotland has been informed. At this stage there is no information to suggest there is a credible threat.
‘The safety and wellbeing of pupils, staff and visitors remains our priority. We are working closely with Police Scotland and will continue to keep schools updated as further information becomes available.’
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: ‘We are aware that schools in Aberdeenshire received an email which Police Scotland quickly confirmed was a hoax.
‘As a precaution, schools followed established procedures and Police Scotland was informed. We completely understand that reports will be unsettling for our parents and families, we would like to reassure you there is no information to suggest any credible threat to our schools. The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff remains our priority.’
And a Highland Council spokesman said: ‘We are aware that this morning a threatening email was sent to schools across Highland and elsewhere.
‘As a precaution, some schools have made the decision to activate their emergency protocols and we are awaiting further guidance from Police Scotland.’
A statement from West Lothian Council said: ‘We are aware that a number of West Lothian schools have received a threatening email this morning, as have schools across the country. Police Scotland is investigating and these are being treated as a hoax.
‘We have been in discussion with police who are assured there is no imminent risk and advised that schools should continue with their day as planned. Schools in West Lothian are therefore not closed. A GroupCall message is being issued now to all parents/carers to inform them of this.’
An Inverclyde Council spokesman said: ‘We are aware of a potentially threatening email being received by schools across Inverclyde earlier today.
‘However, Police Scotland have advised that there is no credible threat. Schools have responded quickly and appropriately, following established safety procedures.
‘Any schools which had activated any lockdown procedures have been advised to stand down this position. We recognise that reports of this nature can understandably cause concern.
‘Please be assured that the safety of our pupils and staff is our key priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further information should this be required.’
Students from a school in Turin in Italy are evacuated this morning after a bomb threat
And an Angus Council statement said: ‘Hoax emails have once again been received by schools in Angus, along with a number of schools in Scotland and across and the UK. This was immediately reported to Police Scotland.
‘Police Scotland has advised that these are being treated as a hoax and that they are investigating the source of these.
‘Parents and carers have been advised of this directly this morning and that Police Scotland is investigating it as a hoax communication with no information to suggest any cause for concern or need to evacuate.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our children, young people and staff remains our highest priority. We will continue to liaise closely with Police Scotland and will continue to be guided by them.’
An East Lothian Council statement said: ‘We are aware of hoax emails that are circulating across Scotland, including in East Lothian.
‘Police Scotland has advised that there is no credible threat. This is being treated as a hoax communication and schools should remain open.
‘We continue to follow Police Scotland advice at all times and prioritise the safety of all our children, young people and staff teams.’
And a South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: ‘Following threatening emails sent to schools across Scotland and the wider UK this morning, our schools acted quickly and followed the correct reporting procedures.
‘The council’s incident management team engaged directly with Police Scotland who advised that the messages are being treated as hoaxes and do not represent a credible threat. Schools will continue to operate as normal.’
The Education Authority (EA) in Northern Ireland said: ‘We are aware that another threatening email message has today been sent to a large number of schools in Northern Ireland.
‘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 today, 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.’