Nine schools across Northern Ireland towns have been unable to open on Monday for 'security reasons'.
The PSNI said it was liaising with the Metropolitan Police in London after an email had been sent to the schools in counties Fermanagh, Tyrone and Antrim.
The content of the email has not been made public. Some schools posted messages on social media advising parents that they had closed.
A statement from Education Minister Paul Givan issued on Monday afternoon said: "I condemn the disruption caused this morning after an email was sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland. I welcome the speedy response from the PSNI who have now assessed the threat and explained to schools they do not need to take any action as a result of this hoax."
In an update this lunchtime, the PSNI said they are treating the matter as a hoax. A spokesperson said: "Police investigating the circumstances of a threatening email sent to nine schools in Northern Ireland today, Monday 24 March, causing some of them to close are, at this time, treating the matter as a hoax.
"Police received reports from three schools in Strabane, three schools in Ballycastle and three schools in Enniskillen this morning that they had received an email during the early hours of today. Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff.
"Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward at any of the schools. Based on enquiries and information to date, police are treating this as a hoax. Enquiries are continuing. Three schools in Enniskillen who received the email stayed open while the schools in Ballycastle and three in Strabane closed."
PSNI Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney added: "We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in each of the school communities and for students and parents.
"Thank you to each of the schools for their assistance with our enquiries to date. Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to liaise with each of the schools impacted to provide reassurance. We urge everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency."
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Key Events
Met Police investigate possible links to other incidents
London's Met Police are investigating possible links between a security threat that forced the closure of several schools in Northern Ireland and "similar incidents" earlier this month.
The police force, in a statement to Belfast Live, said it is assisting the PSNI and confirmed its investigation into possible links to similar incidents in London earlier this month is "ongoing".
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “The Met are assisting with enquiries by the Police Service of Northern Ireland following reported threats made to schools in Northern Ireland on Monday, 24 March.
"It is being investigated whether there are any links to similar incidents reported in London earlier this month. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Update from the Education Authority
In a statement on Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Education Authority said: “We have been working closely with PSNI who have confirmed that the threatening email sent to nine schools in Northern Ireland today is being treated as a hoax.
“PSNI immediately attended each school to engage with staff, and checks have not resulted in anything untoward being identified at any of the schools. Police enquiries are continuing, and they will continue to liaise with each of the impacted schools.
“We are very grateful to PSNI for their rapid response to this issue. We understand the concern and disruption this has caused for those school communities, and we are also liaising with the schools to provide any support they require at this time.
“We would urge everyone, to continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.”
Disruption is 'completely unacceptable'
Commenting on the hoax email that forced school closures, Sinn Féin councillor Paul Boggs said: "The disruption to the education of young people is disgraceful and completely unacceptable.
“The police are currently investigating reports of a threatening email sent to schools that has resulted in closures in Enniskillen, Strabane, and Ballycastle. Thankfully these are being treated as a hoax.
“They are working with the schools concerned to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff as their enquiries continue."
Education Authority issues response
A spokesperson for the Education Authority said it was aware of reports of an email sent to schools.
The spokesperson added: “PSNI are conducting inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
Police treating incident as "a hoax"
In an update this lunchtime, the PSNI said they are treating the matter as a hoax. A spokesperson said: "Police investigating the circumstances of a threatening email sent to nine schools in Northern Ireland today, Monday 24 March, causing some of them to close are, at this time, treating the matter as a hoax.
"Police received reports from three schools in Strabane, three schools in Ballycastle and three schools in Enniskillen this morning that they had received an email during the early hours of today. Officers were immediately deployed to each school to engage with staff.
"Checks have not, at this time, resulted in anything untoward at any of the schools. Based on enquiries and information to date, police are treating this as a hoax. Enquiries are continuing. Three schools in Enniskillen who received the email stayed open while the schools in Ballycastle and three in Strabane closed."
PSNI Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney added: "We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused in each of the school communities and for students and parents.
"Thank you to each of the schools for their assistance with our enquiries to date. Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to liaise with each of the schools impacted to provide reassurance. We urge everyone, in the meantime, to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency."
Statement from Education Minister
The Education Minister has issued a statement after a number of Northern Ireland schools closed on Monday due to a “security concern”.
A statement from Education Minister Paul Givan issued on Monday afternoon said: "I condemn the disruption caused this morning after an email was sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland.
"I welcome the speedy response from the PSNI who have now assessed the threat and explained to schools they do not need to take any action as a result of this hoax."
The scene at Strabane Academy
'No place for this' says local MLA
In a statement, the Alliance Party's MLA for North Antrim, Sian Mulholland, said: "My thanks go to the police and also the wider school community for their quick reaction to this morning’s events.
"The impact of this ripples right out into the community, from the children dealing with the uncertainty and worry, right through to parents being unable to get to work today.
"There is no place for this at all and I want to praise the entire school community for all they’ve done this morning to keep our children calm and safe."
MP blasts "appalling" security threat
North Antrim MP and TUV leader Jim Allister posted on X: “Appalling to see NI schools closed because of a security threat, including Cross & Passion College in Ballycastle in North Antrim.
“I trust the police get on top of this situation quickly and that concerns of parents, staff and pupils can be allayed.”
More Ballycastle school closures
St Patrick's & St Brigid's Primary School, Ballycastle has said in a statement: "School closed till further notice. We will update you when we know more."
Also closed are Ballycastle Integrated PS and Gaelscoil an Chaistil.
Political condemnation
Condemning the incident DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Debroah Erskine said: "Early this morning I was in touch with the local police regarding the despicable emails sent to schools in this area.
"Sadly the individual behind it sought to cause havoc across many schools in NI and elsewhere.
"This would have been a very scary incident to occur for the school leadership and the staff, as they continue to put everyone’s safety at their highest priority.
"I paid tribute to them for their quick thinking and their leadership this morning. Also to the PSNI who have been assisting at the affected schools and will be continuing investigations. I have been in touch with the schools involved locally to offer my support."
DUP Cllr for Ballymoney, Darry Wilson added: "I am deeply concerned to learn that several schools across Northern Ireland, including within our own borough, are closed this morning due to security concerns.
"At this stage, there are very few details available, and I would urge parents, guardians, and staff to monitor relevant school social media pages for updates.
"Actions such as these, which disrupt education and cause unnecessary fear and anxiety, must be wholly condemned by all. The safety and well-being of our children, teachers, and school communities must always be our priority."
Police statement
Police say they received reports today, Monday 24 March, of an email sent to a number of schools in Enniskillen, Strabane and Ballycastle. As a result of this email, we are conducting enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question and also with the Metropolitan Police in London, they added.
Update expected soon
Posting on social media, Gary Middleton MLA said: "Concerning that schools across NI have been affected by a security threat. An update from the PSNI and Education Authority is due to be issued shortly."
School gets all clear to reopen
In update on social media, a spokesperson for Erne Integrated College said: "Due to a security alert this morning, traffic around the school and Erne Integrated Primary is extremely backed up. We are open as normal, after the all clear was given by the PSNI."
Enniskillen schools also impacted
There has also been disruption in the Enniskillen Integrated Primary School and Nursery, Erne Integrated College and Enniskillen Royal Grammar School as a result of an alleged security alert.
A spokesperson for Erne Integrated College confirmed the alert via social media.
They said: “Due to a security alert this morning, traffic around the school and Erne Integrated Primary is extremely backed up. We are open as normal, after the all clear was given by the PSNI.”
Ballycastle school also impacted
Belfast Live undertands that Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle has also been impacted by security concerns this morning.
Cross & Passion College wrote on social media: “Unfortunately the school has had to close today due to a security concern.”
Some schools are open
It's understood that St Mary’s, St Catherine’s, Cloughcor and Knockavoe are remaining open today so far.
Statement from Holy Cross College
A spokesperson for Holy Cross College said: "Unfortunately the school has to close today due to a security concern.
"Any children already en route, we would ask that parents make arrangements to collect them. We will update you all as soon as possible this morning."
What we know so far
Several schools in a Co Tyrone town have been unable to reopen on Monday morning for 'security reasons'.
There are reports that the schools affected are Holy Cross College, Strabane Academy and Strabane Primary School (Derry Road).
Posting on social media, local Cllr Jason Barr said the schools are reportedly "closed this morning due to security reasons".
