Schools across parts of the UK were evacuated today after almost 800 received hoax bomb threats in suspicious emails, prompting headteachers to activate emergency procedures.
Some pupils were sent home after threats were reported at schools in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife and the Highlands, as well as across Northern Ireland.
Detectives said the messages had been assessed immediately and did not represent a credible threat, advising staff that schools did not need to close.
However, officers were stationed outside some schools, while pupils at other sites gathered on fields beneath foil blankets to stay warm as temperatures fell.
More than 470 schools in Scotland were believed to have received an email referring to a supposed “device” after the message was sent to distribution lists across the UK.
At least 300 schools in Northern Ireland also received the email. Gardaí in the Republic of Ireland were investigating a series of threats against schools, while Italy’s education ministry said more than 300 schools had received bomb-threat emails.
Some headteachers who chose to close their schools asked parents not to collect their children, as they worked to arrange emergency transport to take pupils home.
The incident follows a series of bomb threats targeting European airlines last week, when dozens of aircraft made unscheduled landings or were escorted by fighter jets.
It also comes after schools in Scotland were targeted by another nationwide bomb threat last month. Those emails were likewise declared hoaxes.
That warning, which referred to an “explosive device”, was signed “Allahu Akbar” and appeared to have been sent by Islamists threatening to impose Sharia law on the UK.
Parents collect children from a meeting point in Inverness after a nearby school closed today
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Wednesday, November 11, threatening messages were sent to a number of schools in Scotland and elsewhere across the UK.
“The messages were assessed immediately and are being treated as hoaxes. Our inquiries have found nothing to suggest that they represent a credible threat or indicate any wider danger to the public.
“We understand how distressing messages of this nature can be for pupils, parents, carers and school staff, and the understandable concern they may cause.
“Our advice is that there is no requirement to evacuate schools or keep children away from education based solely on the contents of these emails.
“The messages were distributed widely through mailing 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 conducting extensive inquiries to identify the source of the messages. Officers are also continuing to work with law-enforcement partners across the UK and internationally.”
A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokesperson said: “Police received reports today of a concerning email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland.
“As a result, officers are conducting urgent inquiries and liaising with the schools involved. A further update will be provided in due course.”
John McGhee, executive director of education at Glasgow City Council, said: “You may have seen media reports this morning about an email threatening that a device had been placed in schools. The message was sent to schools across the country, but our police colleagues have confirmed it 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 them as part of that inquiry.”
Fife Council service manager Kevin Funnell said: “We are aware that a number of schools received an email containing a bomb threat this morning.
“As a precaution, schools followed established procedures and Police Scotland was notified. At this stage, there is no information to suggest that the threat is credible.
“The safety and wellbeing of pupils, staff and visitors remain our priority. We are working closely with Police Scotland and will continue to update schools as further information becomes available.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson 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.
Pupils gather beneath foil blankets to keep warm after a school in Scotland was evacuated today
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“We understand that reports of this kind will be unsettling for parents and families. However, we want to reassure you that there is no information to suggest a credible threat to our schools. The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff remain our priority.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that a threatening email was sent to schools across Highland and elsewhere this morning.
“As a precaution, some schools decided to activate their emergency procedures while awaiting further guidance from Police Scotland.”
A statement from West Lothian Council said: “We are aware that a number of West Lothian schools received a threatening email this morning, as did schools across the country. Police Scotland is investigating, and the messages are being treated as a hoax.
“We have spoken with police, who have confirmed that there is no imminent risk and advised schools to continue operating as planned. Schools in West Lothian are therefore not closed. A GroupCall message is being sent to all parents and carers to inform them.”
An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that schools across Inverclyde received a potentially threatening email earlier today.
“However, Police Scotland has advised that there is no credible threat. Schools responded quickly and appropriately by following established safety procedures.
“Any schools that had activated lockdown procedures have been advised to stand down. We recognise that reports of this nature can understandably cause concern.
“The safety of our pupils and staff is our highest priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide further information if required.”
An Angus Council statement said: “Hoax emails have once again been received by schools in Angus, as well as by schools elsewhere in Scotland and across the UK. The matter was immediately reported to Police Scotland.
“Police Scotland has advised that the messages are being treated as hoaxes and is investigating their source.
“Parents and carers were informed directly this morning that Police Scotland is treating the emails as hoax communications. There is no information to suggest any cause for concern or a need to evacuate.
“The safety and wellbeing of our children, young people and staff remain our highest priority. We will continue to liaise closely with Police Scotland and follow its guidance.”
An East Lothian Council statement said: “We are aware that hoax emails are circulating across Scotland, including in East Lothian.
“Police Scotland has advised that there is no credible threat. The messages are being treated as hoax communications, and schools should remain open.
“We will continue to follow Police Scotland’s advice and prioritise the safety of all our children, young people and staff.”
A South Lanarkshire Council spokesperson said: “Following the 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 spoke directly with Police Scotland, which advised that the messages are being treated as hoaxes and do not represent a credible threat. Schools will continue to operate normally.”
The Education Authority (EA) in Northern Ireland said: “We are aware that another threatening email has been sent today to a large number of schools in Northern Ireland.
“The message is similar to a bogus threat sent last month, which was declared a hoax by the PSNI. The EA is liaising with police regarding the latest message. At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of a credible threat to schools.
“Investigations are continuing. It is for the PSNI to determine whether such a message is credible. As always, schools are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.
“We fully appreciate that messages of this nature are distressing. Schools, parents, carers, children and young people can be assured that we will provide a further update after consulting with police.”
Last month, several schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland closed after receiving a hoax bomb threat.
Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan said at the time that the threat was “Islamist” and had been signed “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 and cause fear and distress among pupils, parents and staff. Please remain calm and follow official guidance. My thoughts are with everyone affected.”