What we know about the hoax that saw threatening messages sent to Scottish schools

Schools across Scotland were targeted with ‘threatening messages’ on Monday, prompting hundreds of calls to police.

Police Scotland said it was treating the incident as a hoax with similar messages sent to schools in Europe.

The threat came as many schools in Scotland were on holiday, while some had an in-service day, and others had just returned following the October break.

Some teachers, who were in school ahead of pupils returning, were advised to work from home.

Schools in Edinburgh and Clackmannanshire were evacuated.

Edinburgh City Council confirmed no children were in school at the time.

It follows a similar incident last week when nurseries and primary schools in East Lothian received an “Islamist” bomb threat.

STV News understands police were treating this incident as a hoax as well.

Outside of Scotland

Threatening messages were not just sent to schools in Scotland.

On Monday, up to 300 schools in Northern Ireland also received threatening messages, prompting several to close.

The PSNI said schools had reported “receiving the same emailed message which contained a generalised threat”.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received reports today, Monday, October 19, of an 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.”

It has been reported that around 70 Hungarian schools were also targeted with bomb threats on Monday. Hungarian authorities have launched a criminal investigation.

Meanwhile, schools in Serbia also received similar messages on Monday morning.

Letters to parents

Many schools and councils issued letters to parents and carers on Monday to reassure them that police were not treating the threats as credible.

One letter from Glasgow City Council read: “You will be aware of media reports about a threatening email that has been sent to some of our schools and schools across the country, and I wanted to inform you of our actions.

“The police are treating the threat in the email as a hoax, with police officers continuing to investigate the source of these emails.

“We will continue to work closely with our police colleagues as part of the investigation.

“The safety of our children, young people and staff is our top priority, and we will always follow the correct procedures in this type of situation”.

City of Edinburgh Council education convener James Dalgleish expressed “frustration” that schools and children were targeted.

He also added that the impact on pupils was limited due to it being an in-service day, but said, “that doesn’t take away from the stupidity of this person’s actions.”

What has Police Scotland said?

Police Scotland said they had received 300 calls after the threatening messages were sent to schools, and confirmed staff from its Cyber and Fraud Unit are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the source.

In an updated statement yesterday, it was reiterated that these messages are being treated as a hoax.

Parents and carers have also been advised to contact their local authority for information about specific schools.