Hoax Bomb Threats Target Schools Across Scotland and Northern Ireland

• •Over 300 schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland received hoax bomb threats.
• •Police are treating the threats as hoaxes with no credible risk identified.
• •The emails originated from outside the UK, and investigations are ongoing.

On October 19, 2026, schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland received hoax bomb threat emails claiming the presence of explosive devices. Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland are treating these threats as hoaxes, with no credible risk identified. Over 300 schools in both regions were affected, prompting many to close temporarily or advise parents to collect their children. The emails originated from outside the UK, and investigations are underway to trace their source. Authorities reassured parents that the situation was under control and that there was no cause for concern. The incident has caused significant disruption but has been managed calmly by school officials and law enforcement. The scale of this incident, affecting both Scotland and Northern Ireland, is noted as unusual by educational representatives.