Police treating threatening emails sent to up to 300 Northern Ireland schools as hoax

Monday 19 October 2026

Police have confirmed that threatening emails sent to up to 300 schools across Northern Ireland this morning (Monday 19 October) are being treated as a hoax, following investigations into a widespread incident that caused disruption for pupils, parents and school communities.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the schools had reported receiving the same emailed message containing a generalised threat, with similar emails believed to have been received by some schools elsewhere in the UK.

While the majority of schools remained open, some closed as a result of the threats. Police have stressed that their enquiries have so far uncovered nothing untoward and that the risk to the public is considered low.

Threatening emails originated outside the UK

According to police, the threatening email originated from outside the United Kingdom. Checks carried out so far have not identified anything untoward, leading investigators to treat the incident as a hoax.

However, enquiries remain ongoing as officers continue working with affected schools and education authorities.

The scale of the incident also placed significant demand on police resources, with call handlers from Police Scotland assisting the PSNI in managing the volume of reports received on Monday morning.

Police acknowledge concern and disruption

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson acknowledged the anxiety caused by the threats and the disruption experienced by some school communities.

He 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."

Reassurance for parents and schools

The PSNI has been working closely with the Department of Education and the Education Authority throughout the morning to provide reassurance to schools affected by the messages.

Although police are treating the threats as a hoax, the investigation has not concluded, and officers are continuing their enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the emails.

Parents and pupils should follow communications from their individual schools regarding any disruption or changes to normal arrangements.

Anyone who notices suspicious activity should contact police on 101, or call 999 in an emergency.