Police Scotland is investigating after multiple schools across the country received threatening emails claiming to contain bomb threats, which authorities are treating as a hoax.
According to BBC News, institutions in Glasgow, Edinburgh, East Renfrewshire and East Lothian were among those targeted, with messages reaching both primary and secondary schools. Schools in Northern Ireland also received similar communications alleging that explosive devices had been placed in 160 educational facilities across the region. Northern Ireland's education minister stated the threat was not being regarded as credible.
A Police Scotland representative confirmed the force's awareness of the threatening communications and outlined the response:
We are aware of threatening messages being sent to a number of schools across Scotland. These are being treated as a hoax and officers are investigating.
East Renfrewshire Council acknowledged that numerous schools within its jurisdiction had received what it described as a malicious threat. The council spokesperson explained the immediate action taken:
After notifying Police Scotland, the communication is being investigated as a hoax, and our schools are operating as normal.Staff at affected institutions followed established safety protocols upon receiving the messages.
The timing of the incident coincided with school holiday periods across much of Scotland, with pupils absent in several regions while teachers attended in-service training days in others. Schools in England and Wales were also closed for half-term holidays at the time the emails were distributed.
This incident follows a pattern of similar threats in recent months. A youth was previously charged after posting hoax bomb threats targeting schools in East Kilbride, with police conducting specialist searches that found nothing. Additionally, over 100 Northern Ireland schools were evacuated in October 2026 following a similar bomb threat email, prompting urgent police enquiries across the region.
How are authorities responding?
Police Scotland has launched a formal investigation into the source and distribution of the hoax emails. Schools have been advised to continue normal operations while law enforcement works to identify those responsible for sending the threatening messages. The coordinated nature of the emails, reaching institutions across multiple local authorities, suggests a deliberate campaign rather than isolated incidents.
What measures are in place?
Schools across Scotland have established procedures for responding to threats, which were activated immediately upon receipt of the emails. These protocols include notifying police, assessing credibility, and determining whether evacuation or other protective measures are necessary. The swift classification of these messages as hoaxes allowed educational facilities to maintain normal operations without disruption to staff or pupils present on the day.
