Police are investigating after a threatening email was sent to a over 100 schools across Northern Ireland on Monday.
The PSNI confirmed it received reports on October 19 of an email circulated to multiple schools, prompting an urgent response.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
While police have not disclosed the exact wording, the nature of the message is understood to be similar to bomb hoax emails which caused widespread alarm in over 150 schools in the Republic of Ireland last week.
Those messages also claimed a device had been planted and led to a major Garda investigation, later treated as a hoax. However, there is no suggestion, at this stage, the situations are linked.
Parents are expected to receive updates via their usual school communication channels.
Police are advising that anyone with information about the source of the email, or who becomes aware of similar messages being circulated, should report it via 101 or the online non‑emergency reporting form, or call 999 in an emergency.
Gareth Wilson MLA has expressed concerns around of threatening emails this morning.
“The reports emerging this morning will understandably cause significant anxiety and disruption for pupils, parents, teachers and school staff right across Northern Ireland,” the DUP representative said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our children must remain the absolute priority.
“It is not clear at this stage just how many schools have been affected and their locations, but I would encourage parents to follow instructions provided by school leadership, the Education Authority and the PSNI.
“It is disgraceful that those responsible have threatened innocent children and staff. Once they have been identified, they should face the full force of the law.
“If anyone has information that may assist the investigation, no matter how insignificant it may seem, I would encourage them to contact the PSNI immediately and cooperate fully with their enquiries.”
