Hundreds of UK schools hit by hoax bomb threats as pupils evacuated in mass scare

Résumé détaillé

A wave of bomb threats continue to blight institutions across Europe after hundreds of schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland were targeted by malicious messages

Hundreds of schools were thrown into chaos today after a wave of hoax bomb-scare threats were made to sites across the UK.

Police Scotland said the messages were sent out to a number of schools in the country this morning. After being assessed, the messages are now being treated as hoaxes.

More than 470 primary and secondary schools in Scotland received a bogus bomb threat, while similar threats were sent to 300 schools in Northern Ireland. Police Scotland said there was "no requirement to evacuate schools or keep children away" based on the content of the messages.

A spokesperson for the force added: "They have been sent widely to distribution lists across the UK and Northern Ireland, and our assessment remains that they do not represent a credible threat. Police Scotland’s cyber and fraud unit is carrying out extensive inquiries to establish the source of the messages and officers continue to liaise with law enforcement partners across the UK and internationally."

Despite police attempts to ease concern, a number of schools were evacuated today due to the threat. Many have since allowed their pupils to return to class as normal.

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: "Schools in Edinburgh were briefly evacuated as a precaution this morning, following receipt of threatening messages. These threats have now been confirmed by Police Scotland not to be credible, with messages being treated as a hoax.

"The safety of children and young people, and all who work in our schools, is our top priority and we will always act in line with our safety protocols and procedures, as we did today. We understand the impact this can have on families and want to reassure parents and carers that our schools are safe, and there is no need to remove your child.

"We continue to work closely with Police Scotland and will keep schools updated as further information becomes available." Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) said enquiries have led investigators to conclude the email threats…

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