Schools 'explosive device' email a hoax, says police

An email threatening that "an explosive device" is located within hundreds of schools in Northern Ireland is being treated as a "hoax" by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police take "incidents of this nature very seriously" however "at this stage we consider risk to the public as low".

Some schools have closed after receiving the email, however others have decided to stay open and are taking advice from the PSNI.

Police Scotland said they are investigating emails sent to schools and are also treating threats as a hoax.

One school in Lambeg emailed parents to say that they should "come immediately" and collect children adding: "Please don't panic the children are all safe."

The email originated from outside the UK police say and similar emails have been received by some schools across the UK.

The PSNI said up to 300 schools have reported receiving the same emailed message which contained a generalised threat.

"Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward," added the PSNI.

"Based on enquiries and information to date, police are treating this email, which originated from outside the UK, as a hoax."

Henderson said police "understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in some school communities and for students and parents".

"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."

Police enquires into the email are continuing.

The Education Minister Paul Givan said the email has "caused huge alarm" and condemned the "level of disruption caused to young people's education".

In a statement he added: "Schools should continue to operate as normal."

"I recognise that this has caused huge alarm and distress among pupils, parents and school staff and I understand that schools have had to make decisions in the best interests of their pupils and staff. This has unfortunately led to a number of school closures.

"My Department will continue to work with the PSNI and the Education Authority and we will continue to engage with the PSNI as their enquiries continue."

Givan added: "I would like to thank school leaders, staff, pupils, parents and the PSNI for their cooperation and professionalism in responding to this incident."

At Rosetta PS in south Belfast, Chantal Ailsby told BBC News NI that the school handled the threat well.

Parents were given the option to collect their children from the school.

Nora Xhemha also collected her children.

"We don't know what is going on. I hope that every child here is safe."

Claire Robinson, who is the head teacher at Holy Evangelists' Primary School in west Belfast, told BBC Radio Ulster's the Nolan Show that the advice schools have been given is "practically non-existent".

"There's been nothing from the Education Authority, there's been nothing from CCMS [Council for Catholic Maintained Schools], bar two letters that are more or less telling us absolutely nothing," she said.

Robinson said she feels that principals have been left to make the decisions themselves.

"We need guidance in the event these things happen.

"It's wholly unacceptable when we're dealing with children".

Meanwhile, the principal for Rathcoole Primary School in Newtownabbey, Emma Quinn, said that although her school is having a staff training day, it had gone into a lockdown procedure.

However, she said there has been "very little guidance, if no guidance, from the Education Authority".

"It's left to principals to make a very vital decision about the safety of their pupils and staff."

Quinn added that there has been conflicting advice provided to school principals.

Rob Kelsall, assistant general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said that "bomb threats made against schools are utterly unacceptable".

He paid tribute to school leaders and staff who acted with professionalism in "extremely difficult circumstances".

But he said it is "unacceptable that some have been left trying to reconcile differing and, at times, contradictory advice from multiple agencies while managing incidents of this seriousness".

Kelsall said NAHT has raised these concerns with Givan is liaising with the police.

"We are calling for a joined-up review of how information is communicated to schools during incidents such as these so that leaders can have confidence that advice is timely, consistent and aligned."

The Education Authority (EA) has been contacted in regards to the critical comments made by Quinn, Robinson and the NAHT.

On the actual email itself, the EA said it was "aware" of it adding: "We recognise the concern this may cause for school leaders, staff, pupils and families.

"We are engaging closely with the PSNI and will act on their advice.

"Communications have been issued to schools, and we continue to support school leaders and keep them informed."

In a statement the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) said they recognise the message will have caused "concern and anxiety among pupils, parents and staff".

"We have advised any school that has received the threatening email directly to prioritise the immediate safety of pupils and staff and follow the advice and instructions of the PSNI and EA, alongside established emergency procedures."

They paid tribute to school leaders who "handled a distressing situation today with great calm and care".

"We will support every principal and Board of Governors in whatever decision they take for their own school community."

Similar threats were received by schools in the Republic of Ireland last week.

An Garda Síochána said it was "aware of a communication" that was sent on the 14 October.

"Gardaí are currently assessing the contents and credibility of that communication.

"Gardaí are engaging with a number of educational establishments. No further information is available at this time."