‘Islamist’ bomb threat sent to 160 Northern Ireland schools – education minister

The threats are currently being treated as non viable

Up to 300 schools in Northern Ireland received "Islamist" bomb threats,  according to Stormont education minister Paul Givan. The threats are currently being treated as non viable, but have led to some schools closing their doors and causing "huge alarm." 

Mr Givan said the threats were signed off with “Allahu Akbar”.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the threats were a "hoax". The PSNI had conducted “urgent inquiries” and liaised with affected schools this morning.

They said up to 300 schools have now reported “receiving the same emailed message which contained a generalised threat” and it is believed similar correspondence has been received by some schools across the UK.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the police “understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in some school communities and for students and parents.”

“Our enquiries are ongoing, however, at this stage we consider risk to the public as low,” he said.

“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.”

Speaking to reporters at Stormont, Mr Givan said he understood 160 schools had been subject to the communications.

“This morning 160 schools received a threat reporting – it would appear to me from Islamists threatening that Sharia law will be brought into our country and that there is viable devices within those school settings and it was signed off ‘Allahu Akbar’,” he said.

“That has been escalated to the PSNI and the Education Authority are having emergency meetings with the police this morning.

“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.

“Some schools have closed as a result of this threat being received through formal communication channels to those schools, something that I absolutely condemn that there has been this level of disruption caused to young people’s education.

“But obviously, we are working through a process with the PSNI in terms of dealing with that email that was communicated to those schools.

“We’ve advised schools to be in contact with their local policing district commands, and unless they have a specifically identified object in their school, that isn’t something that should warrant them taking any further action whereby they are closing.

“But obviously, this is something that ought to be condemned by everybody, and I am hugely disappointed that for some schools they have had to close, but it is not something that we are regarding as a viable threat, but nevertheless, hugely disruptive and very distressing.” 

In a statement, the Education Authority said it is “aware that a number of schools across Northern Ireland have received a threatening email this morning”.

“We recognise the concern this may cause for school leaders, staff, pupils and families,” they said.

“We are engaging closely with the PSNI and will act on their advice. Communications have been issued to schools, and we continue to support school leaders and keep them informed.”