Education Minister issues reassurance after up to 300 NI schools receive threatening emails

Monday 19 October 2026

Schools across Northern Ireland have been told they do not need to report threatening emails to police or the Education Authority, as Education Minister Paul Givan condemned the hoax that caused widespread concern and disruption on Monday morning.

The guidance follows reports from up to 300 schools that received the same email containing a generalised threat, prompting some schools to close temporarily while the majority remained open.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed it is treating the emails, which originated outside the UK, as a hoax. Extensive checks have not identified anything untoward, and police currently consider the risk to the public to be low.

Schools advised against making further reports

In a statement issued following the incident, Mr Givan confirmed that schools receiving the threatening message do not need to contact either the PSNI or the Education Authority to report it.

He said:

“The PSNI and the Education Authority have been working closely this morning to provide reassurance and advice. Schools do not need to report receipt of these emails to the PSNI or the Education Authority, as the matter is already the subject of an ongoing police investigation.

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

The advice comes after police received reports from hundreds of schools, with call handlers from Police Scotland drafted in to assist the PSNI in managing the volume of incoming calls on Monday morning.

Minister condemns disruption to education

Mr Givan strongly criticised those responsible for sending the messages and acknowledged the impact on school communities.

He said:

"I want to absolutely condemn the actions of those who sought to disrupt our education system today by issuing threatening emails to our schools.

“The PSNI has confirmed that it is treating these emails as a hoax, with similar messages understood to have been received by some schools elsewhere in the UK. I want to reassure schools, parents and pupils that, following extensive checks, the PSNI has not identified anything untoward.

“I recognise that this incident has caused significant concern and distress for pupils, parents, school leaders and staff. I also understand that a number of schools have had to make decisions which has unfortunately led to disruption and, in some cases, temporary closures."

Police investigation continues

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson previously confirmed that the PSNI was treating the threats seriously despite its assessment that the risk to the public was low.

Police have been working with the Department of Education and the Education Authority to provide reassurance to affected schools, while enquiries into the origin and circumstances of the emails continue.

Although schools have been advised that they do not need to report receipt of the threatening email again, police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.

For parents and pupils affected by temporary closures or other disruption, individual schools remain the appropriate source of information about their arrangements.