We strongly condemn these malicious emails and the distress and disruption caused to school communities. This is the second such incident in less than a month, causing further unnecessary anxiety for children and young people, parents/carers and school staff.

EA remains in close contact with the PSNI and will continue to support schools and keep them informed.
We thank school leaders and staff for their professional response and for supporting children and young people through these challenging circumstances.

Over 300 schools to date have reported to police receiving the same emailed message which contained a threat. It is believed similar emails have been received by some schools in Scotland

Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward. Based on enquiries and information to date, police are treating this email, which originated from outside the UK, as a hoax.

Enquiries are continuing.

Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said: “We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, 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.