Schools in parts of the UK were evacuated today after receiving hoax bomb threats in a suspicious email as headteachers activated ’emergency protocols’.
Pupils at some schools in parts Scotland including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife and the Highlands as well as in Northern Ireland were sent home for the day.
Detectives have confirmed the messages were immediately investigated and do not ‘represent a credible threat’, advising staff that there was no need to close.
But officers were seen outside schools in some locations, while at others pupils were huddled under foil blankets to keep warm as temperatures plunged this morning.
More than 270 schools in Scotland are understood to have received a threatening email about a ‘device’, after the message was sent to distribution lists across the UK.
Some headteachers who decided to close urged parents not to pick up their children, 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, when they received other malicious emails which were also identified as hoaxes.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘On Wednesday, November 11, threatening messages were sent to a number of schools in Scotland and across the UK.
Pupils huddle under foil blankets to keep warm after a school in Scotland is evacuated today
‘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.’
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.
‘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.’
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.’
