Police investigate school threats in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Police in Scotland and Northern Ireland are investigating threatening messages sent to schools on October 19, with authorities describing the threats as hoaxes or non-viable and reporting that some schools closed or evacuated as a precaution. Police Scotland said messages had been sent to a number of schools across Scotland and were being treated as a hoax. The force said officers were investigating. Schools in areas including Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders and North Ayrshire were reported to have received threats. No consolidated count of affected Scottish schools was provided. In Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said it had received reports of an email sent to schools and was conducting urgent enquiries while liaising with affected institutions. Education Minister Paul Givan said 160 schools received the threat on Monday morning. Some schools closed, while others remained open following police advice. Reports also cited a higher estimate of up to 300 schools, but no final tally was announced. Givan said authorities did not regard the email as a viable threat, while acknowledging the alarm and disruption it...