LATEST - PSNI treating threatening emails sent to around 300 schools in Northern Ireland 'as a hoax'

Police said that ‘up to 300 schools to date have reported to police receiving the same emailed message which contained a generalised threat’.

They added: “It is believed similar emails have been received by some schools across UK.

"Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward

"Based on enquiries and information to date, police are treating this email, which originated from outside the UK, as a hoax. “Enquiries are continuing.” Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: "We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in some school communities and for students and parents.

"Our enquiries are ongoing, however, at this stage we consider risk to the public as low.

"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. "We urge everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency."

It has emerged that the majority of schools remained open although some did close as a result of the threatening emails. Call handlers from Police Scotland assisted PSNI with the volume of incoming reports on Monday morning.

Earlier it emerged that some schools have been evacuated after receiving the email threatening that "an explosive device" is located within their building.

St Colman's PS Lambeg said that parents should "come immediately" and collect children and "please don't panic the children are all safe".

Harpur's Hill PS and Rosstulla Special School have also advised that children are to be collected.

Education minister Paul Givan said: Over 150 schools in Northern Ireland received bomb threats which are not being treated as viable.

He told reporters at Stormont: “This morning 160 schools received a threat reporting – it would appear to me from Islamists 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 ‘Allah Akbar’.

“That has been escalated to the PSNI, and the Education Authority are having emergency meetings with the police this morning.

"At this stage the advice to schools is that we’re not treating this as a viable threat but it has clearly caused huge alarm.

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

“But obviously, we are working through a process with the PSNI in terms of dealing with that email that was communicated to those schools.

"We’ve advised schools to be in contact with their local policing district commands, and unless they have a specifically identified object in their school, that isn’t something that should warrant them taking any further action whereby they are closing,” he added.

“But obviously, this is something that ought to be condemned by everybody, and I am hugely disappointed that for some schools they have had to close, but it is not something that we are regarding as a viable threat, but nevertheless, hugely disruptive and very distressing.”

UUP MLA Diana Armstrong also condemned threats sent to schools across Northern Ireland this morning, praising staff for their calm response and urging parents to follow official advice from schools, the PSNI and the Education Authority.

“I unreservedly condemn the threats made to schools across Northern Ireland. My office has been contacted this morning by worried staff and parents, and I know how distressing this is for families and for whole school communities,” Diana Armstrong said.

“These threats will have been deeply frightening for principals, and for the administrative staff who manage school inboxes and are so often the first to read messages like these.

"No one should have to open their email at work and find a threat, and every child deserves to learn in a place where they feel safe.

“Those behind these threats want to spread fear and cause disruption.

"People across Northern Ireland have worked hard to build peace, and we will not allow anyone to undermine it or shake the confidence of our communities”.

Ms Armstrong also paid “tribute to our principals, teachers and school staff, who responded safely and appropriately and have shown real professionalism and calm leadership in very difficult circumstances”.

“I would ask parents to follow guidance from their child’s school, the PSNI and the Education Authority, and to avoid sharing unverified information online, which only adds to anxiety,” she added.

"Anyone with information should contact the PSNI on 101”.

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine MLA posted online: “I understand that emergency evacuation procedures have been initiated at some local schools this morning across Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

"I know this will be a worrying time for pupils, parents and staff and I hope everyone is safe and well.

"Please follow the guidance issued by your school and the relevant authorities, and avoid sharing unconfirmed information.

"Police are conducting urgent enquiries due to an email threat sent to some schools, and they are liaising with the schools in question. An update will be provided in due course.”

Meanwhile, also online, Coleraine Grammar School posted: ‘For Parents/Carers

‘Some NI schools have received an email this morning stating that there is an explosive device on the premises.

‘We have not received such an email and PSNI advice is to check the premises, which we are now doing.

‘School will remain open today as normal unless I receive new information or advice.

‘Thank for your support, and we will remain vigilant. DC.’