'Hoax' email causes disruption at local schools

POLICE are continuing to investigate threatening emails sent this week claiming that an explosive device had been left within a number of local schools.

The sinister missive was sent to schools across Northern Ireland, including the town's Holy Cross College, St Catherine's Primary School, St Mary's Primary School, Strabane Controlled Primary School and Strabane Academy, causing them to close on Monday.

The email, titled ‘Death is near’ and sent just before 9am on Monday morning, warned of an “urgent notification that an explosive device containing ammonium nitrate (ANFO) is currently located inside the building."

It stated: “Today, with Allah’s permission, we will carry out a series of planned terrorist attacks across the country.

“What you experience today is only the beginning. One day, your government will surrender its authority, and Sharia law will be established.”

The letter was signed ‘Allahu Akbar’.

Police said checks had not identified anything untoward and that based on enquiries and information to date, the matter is being treated as a hoax.

Up to 300 schools reported receiving the same emailed message which contained the generalised threat with the majority remaining open following police advice.

Schools which did close, reopened yesterday (Tuesday) for pupils and staff.

It is believed similar emails have been received by some schools across UK.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: "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 some school communities and for students and parents.

"Our enquiries are ongoing, however, at this stage we consider risk to the public as low.

"We will continue to liaise with schools impacted and have been working closely with the Department of Education and the Education Authority 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."

A West Tyrone MLA described the targeting of children and school communities as “vile and utterly reprehensible”.

The SDLP's Daniel McCrossan said: “I utterly condemn these vile threats against our local schools.

"Those responsible have caused fear and distress among children, parents, teachers and school staff who should never have to face something like this."

He said parents had sent their children to school expecting them to be safe, and instead they were faced with an anxious wait for information, while school staff had to respond to an "extremely frightening situation".

“Teachers, staff, pupils and parents will be extremely shaken," he added.

"The considerable disruption caused today will be felt well beyond the classroom, particularly by children who may struggle to understand what has happened.

“Our immediate priority must be the safety and wellbeing of everyone affected.”

Mr McCrossan also raised concerns about the support provided by the Education Authority (EA), saying he did not believe it had "provided enough support or sufficiently clear and timely guidance."

“Principals carry an enormous responsibility for the children in their care," Mr McCrossan said.

"They need direct advice, practical assistance and reassurance when faced with threats of this seriousness.

“The EA must urgently work with the PSNI and CCMS to ensure schools receive consistent guidance, regular updates and a named point of contact. Parents also need clear information from their schools as the situation develops.

“I commend our school leaders and staff for their efforts to protect pupils."

DUP MLA., Tom Buchanan, condemned the threats and described the disruption and fear caused within school communities as wholly unacceptable.

“While these threats turned out to be nothing more than a hoax, they caused major disruption and concern for both teaching staff and parents as they arrived at the schools which had received the threats,” he said.

“Communities throughout Northern Ireland were plunged into fear and anxiety for the safety of both pupils and teaching staff until this threat was verified as a hoax by the PSNI.

“Such reckless acts of behaviour within our school settings are nothing short of deplorable and those responsible should hang their heads in shame.”

The DUP representative called on police to pursue the investigation and identify those responsible.

“I call on the PSNI to do all in their power to try and locate the individual responsible and bring them to justice,” he said, urging anyone with information to pass it to police.

The EA said it condemned incidents of this nature and the unnecessary concern and disruption they cause for pupils, families and wider school communities.

"While some disruption was caused, the majority of schools remained open," a statement said.

"We have worked closely with the PSNI throughout the incident, communicated updates to schools and provided support and reassurance.

“We thank school leaders and staff for their professional response to a difficult and challenging situation.”

Education Minister Paul Givan also condemned the actions of those responsible for issuing the threatening emails and thanked school leaders, staff, pupils, parents and the PSNI for their cooperation and professionalism in responding to the incident