Threatening Emails Sent to Hundreds of Schools Across Northern Ireland and the UK Deemed Hoaxes
Crime · First reported 11 Nov, 10:16 · Updated 10:52
Police forces and education authorities across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Scotland investigated threatening emails sent to hundreds of schools. Authorities determined the messages were non-credible hoaxes originating from outside the UK and advised schools that evacuations were unnecessary.
- Threatening emails were sent to more than 300 schools in Northern Ireland as well as educational institutions in the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Síochána assessed the threats as not credible, deeming public risk low and treating the messages as hoaxes originating outside the UK.
- Education departments and police in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland advised schools not to evacuate and to stay open while remaining vigilant.
- Northern Ireland's Education Authority noted similarities between these messages and a previous wave of hoax threats sent to roughly 300 schools the prior month.
- Police Scotland's cyber and fraud unit launched inquiries into the source of the emails, working with UK and international law enforcement partners.
Summary written by Sumzly from 6 articles
Key facts
- Number of NI schools emailed
- More than 300
- Threat assessment
- Hoax / Not credible
- Origin of emails
- Outside the UK / Northern Ireland
- Evacuation advice
- No evacuation required
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