Police received more than 300 calls after school email threats hoax

Emails were sent threatening attacks on schools across Scotland

Police are treating the emails as a hoax
Author: Molly TulettPublished 19th Oct 2026

Police received more than 300 calls after threatening messages were sent to schools across Scotland on Monday.

An email to primary, secondary, Additional Support for Learning schools, and nurseries threatened “series of planned terrorist attacks”.

Police Scotland have reassured families and the public the messages are being treated as a hoax.

A spokesperson said: “Police Scotland received more than 300 calls after threatening messages were sent to a number of schools across Scotland.

"These messages are being treated as a hoax"

“These messages are being treated as a hoax.

"Officers and staff from Police Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Unit are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the source.

“For information about specific schools, contact the relevant local authority.”

A small number of schools were briefly evacuated, including from Muiredge Primary in Uddingston, where parents and staff were taken to a nearby church, before being allowed back in the building.

In a letter to parents, Glasgow City Council said: “You will be aware of media reports today about a threatening email that has been sent to some of our schools and schools across the country and I wanted to inform you of our actions.

"The safety of our children, young people and staff is our top priority"

“The police are treating the threat in the email as a hoax with police officers continuing to investigate the source of these emails.

“We will continue to work closely with our police colleagues as part of the investigation.

“The safety of our children, young people and staff is our top priority, and we will always follow the correct procedures in this type of situation.

North Ayrshire Council said: “We can confirm that a number of our schools received malicious communications which have been deemed not credible.

“We are liaising with Police Scotland who are currently investigating similar incidents across the country.”

Schools in South Ayrshire were not fully back from the October break.

"No schools have been evacuated"

A spokesperson for the council said: “We are aware that a number of schools across Scotland, including in South Ayrshire, received threatening emails this morning.

“The safety and wellbeing of our school communities is our priority, and we immediately liaised with Police Scotland.

“Following their advice, the emails are being treated as a hoax. As such, no schools have been evacuated.

“Monday 19 October is an in-service day in South Ayrshire schools and, while pupils are not attending today, school staff have been kept informed.”

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