Email bomb hoax disrupts hundreds of schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Schools across Northern Ireland and Scotland received an emailed bomb threat believed by police and education officials to be a hoax, prompting closures and some evacuations. Authorities said they did not consider it a viable threat, but the message caused alarm and disrupted pupils’ education.

The PSNI said up to 300 schools had reported receiving the email, which it said originated outside the UK; Northern Ireland’s education minister separately said 160 schools were affected. Glasgow City Council said 148 schools in its area and nearby locations received messages, while Police Scotland reported threats to a number of schools. Some Glasgow pupils were evacuated but later returned to class, and police are investigating.