More than 300 Northern Ireland schools receive hoax threats as police investigation continues
More than 300 schools across Northern Ireland are believed to have received threatening emails on Monday 19 October 2026, causing widespread concern and disruption for pupils, parents and school staff.
The Education Authority confirmed the updated figure on Monday afternoon, following earlier reports from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) that up to 300 schools had been affected.
Police are treating the threatening emails as a hoax and have assessed the risk to the public as low.
Although some schools closed or evacuated pupils as a precaution, the Education Authority confirmed that the majority remained open.
Police investigate threatening emails sent to schools
The PSNI launched urgent enquiries on Monday morning after receiving reports of threatening emails sent to schools across Northern Ireland.
The messages contained generalised threats, prompting some schools to introduce precautionary measures, including evacuations and temporary closures.
As the morning progressed, police established that a large number of schools had received the same email.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson subsequently confirmed that police checks had not identified anything suspicious and that the messages were being treated as a hoax.
Police also established that the email originated outside the United Kingdom, with similar messages reportedly received by schools elsewhere in the UK.
The PSNI said the current risk to the public was considered low, although enquiries into the source of the messages were continuing.
Education Authority confirms more than 300 schools affected
In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Education Authority confirmed that more than 300 schools were now believed to have received the threatening emails.
The Authority strongly condemned the disruption and concern caused to school communities.
It confirmed that the majority of schools had remained open despite the incident, although some had experienced disruption.
The Education Authority said it had worked closely with the PSNI throughout the day, providing schools with information, support and reassurance.
It also thanked school leaders and staff for their professional response to the challenging circumstances.
The updated figure represents an increase on the PSNI’s earlier estimate that up to 300 schools had received the messages.
Education Minister issues advice to schools
Education Minister Paul Givan condemned those responsible for the threatening communications and acknowledged the distress caused to pupils, parents and teaching staff.
The Minister confirmed that the Department of Education and Education Authority had been working closely with police throughout the incident.
In revised guidance issued on Monday afternoon, he advised that schools receiving the threatening emails did not need to report them individually to either the PSNI or Education Authority, as the matter was already under investigation.
The advice relates specifically to receipt of the hoax emails. Any separate suspicious activity or immediate safety concern should still be reported to police.
The Minister also recognised the disruption caused by precautionary school closures and thanked school staff for their response.
Alliance condemns threats to school communities
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA also condemned the incident, describing the threatening communications as deeply concerning.
She acknowledged the anxiety experienced by parents, pupils and school staff following the emails.
Guy confirmed that she had spoken directly with the Education Authority and urged school communities to remain calm and follow official advice.
She also encouraged families to pay attention to communications issued directly by their children’s schools.
Police enquiries remain ongoing
Despite the emails being treated as a hoax, police enquiries into their origin and the circumstances surrounding their distribution are continuing.
The PSNI confirmed that the volume of reports received on Monday was so high that Police Scotland assisted with handling incoming calls.
Police have continued working with the Department of Education and Education Authority to provide reassurance to affected schools.
Parents and guardians are advised to follow updates issued directly by their children’s schools and official education authorities.
Anyone with an immediate safety concern should contact police on 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergency matters.
Official sources and suggested links
– Police Service of Northern Ireland — official website
– Education Authority Northern Ireland
– Department of Education Northern Ireland
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