Over 150 Northern Ireland Schools Hit by Bomb Threats
Police launch urgent inquiries as Education Authority holds emergency meetings; similar incidents reported in Scotland.
Callum Smith
More than 150 schools across Northern Ireland received bomb threats today.
Paul Givan condemned the disruption to young people’s education. Some schools closed as a precaution following the communications.
Police confirmed authorities do not treat the threats as viable. Givan echoed this stance, stating, "At this stage the advice to schools is that we’re not treating this as a viable threat but it has clearly caused huge alarm."
At this stage the advice to schools is that we’re not treating this as a viable threat but it has clearly caused huge alarm.
Givan claimed Islamists originated the threats. These messages reportedly threatened to bring Sharia law into the country and claimed viable devices were present in school settings. He added that the threat caused "huge alarm" and was "hugely disruptive and very distressing."
Police Scotland reported similar threats sent to a number of schools in Scotland. Glasgow City Council indicated 148 schools in Glasgow and surrounding areas received these threatening messages.
Paul Givan noted the situation had escalated to the PSNI. The Education Authority engaged in emergency meetings. He advised schools to contact their local policing district commands, stating closures were not warranted "unless they have a specifically identified object in their school."