Police and education authorities are investigating after a threatening email was sent to a large number of schools across Northern Ireland on Wednesday, 11th November.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed it received reports regarding the concerning message and is currently conducting "urgent enquiries" while liaising directly with the affected schools.

Both the Department of Education and the Education Authority (EA) noted that the message bears strong similarities to a bogus threat issued last month, which was ultimately investigated by police and declared a hoax.

At this stage, officials state there is no evidence to suggest a credible risk to pupils or staff, and schools have been advised to remain open unless instructed otherwise by law enforcement. An Education Authority statement said: "EA is liaising with police on this latest message. At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of any credible threat to schools. Investigations are continuing. It is for PSNI to determine the credibility or otherwise of any such message. 

"We fully appreciate that any message of this nature is distressing and can assure schools, parents/carers and children and young people that we will provide a further update following engagement with police."

The Department of Education echoed the call for calm while encouraging school management to maintain routine security measures, advising: "Schools are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to PSNI. Unless otherwise advised by the PSNI, schools should stay open."

A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that investigations into the source of the communication remain ongoing, with a further official update expected in due course.