Up to 300 schools across Northern Ireland have reported receiving threatening emails containing generalised bomb threats, prompting police investigations and disruption in some school communities.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed on Monday, October 19, 2026, that it was investigating the messages, which authorities believe originated from outside the United Kingdom.
Police said checks had not identified anything suspicious at the locations examined and that the threats were being treated as a hoax based on the information available at the time.
The incident triggered concern among school administrators, parents, pupils and staff, with some schools closing as a precaution while authorities assessed the situation.
Police Say Risk to Public Is Low
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police understood the anxiety and disruption caused by the messages and were treating the matter seriously.
He said the investigation was ongoing but that the risk to the public was considered low based on enquiries conducted so far.
The PSNI also indicated that similar emails might have been received by schools elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Authorities urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. Police advised people to contact the appropriate emergency services if they encountered an immediate threat.
Some Schools Close as Authorities Respond
The threatening messages disrupted normal activities in some school communities, as administrators considered precautionary measures and awaited further guidance from law enforcement agencies.
The Education Authority worked with police and affected schools to provide information and reassurance to school leaders, staff, pupils and families.
Although the threats had not been assessed as credible at the time of the police update, the incident highlighted the disruption that can follow mass-distributed threatening communications.
Schools must take such messages seriously while relying on official security assessments to determine the appropriate response.
Investigation Continues
Police have not publicly established who was responsible for sending the emails. The reported overseas origin of the messages does not, by itself, establish the identity or motive of the sender.
The PSNI said enquiries were continuing and that it would maintain contact with affected schools and education authorities.
For families and school communities, the immediate priority remained ensuring pupils and staff could return to normal activities safely as the investigation progressed.