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‘Islamist’ bomb threat sent to 300 UK schools being treated as a hoax, say police

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Northern Ireland’s education minister said some schools closed after receiving the threatening email

A bomb threat email described as “Islamist” and ending with “Allahu Akbar” was sent to up to 300 schools in the UK, including Scottish schools, prompting some closures in Northern Ireland, but police are treating it as a hoax and say the source was outside the UK.

A widespread bomb threat emailed to hundreds of educational institutions is being treated as a hoax, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of threatening messages being sent to several schools across Scotland. These are being treated as a hoax, and officers are investigating.”

Later, they issued a further statement: “Police Scotland received more than 300 calls after threatening messages were sent to several schools across Scotland.

“These messages are being treated as a hoax. Officers and staff from Police Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Unit are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the source.

“For information about specific schools, contact the relevant local authority.”

West Dunbartonshire Council refuses to speak to The Dumbarton Democrat.

As many as 300 schools reported “receiving the same emailed message which contained a generalised threat”, with police suspecting similar emails were delivered to other schools throughout the UK.

Multiple schools shut on Monday morning following messages claiming viable explosives were on site.

Stormont’s education minister Paul Givan described the message as “Islamist”, noting it concluded with “Allahu Akbar”.

Police investigations have uncovered nothing untoward, with officials confirming the email originated from outside the UK.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the police “understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in some school communities and for students and parents.”
Education Minister Paul Givan speaking to the media at Parliament Buildings, Stormont in Belfast. 

“Our inquiries are ongoing; however, at this stage we consider risk to the public as low,” he said.

“We will continue to liaise with schools impacted and have been working closely with the Department of Education and the Education Authority this morning to provide reassurance.”

Speaking to reporters at Stormont, Mr Givan said the email was “threatening that Sharia law will be brought into our country and that there is viable devices within those school settings and it was signed off ‘Allahu Akbar’”.

“Some schools have closed as a result of this threat being received through formal communication channels to those schools, something that I absolutely condemn is that there has been this level of disruption caused to young people’s education,” he said.

In a statement, the Education Authority said it is “aware that several schools across Northern Ireland have received a threatening email this morning”.

West Dunbartonshire Council, which is responsible for schools here, refused to comment to The Dumbarton Democrat.

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