Police Scotland statement re threatening messages to schools

Police Scotland has issued the following statement regarding threatening messages, which are being treated as hoaxes, sent to schools across Scotland, including Midlothian, and the UK:

"On Wednesday, 11 November 2026 threatening messages were sent to a number of schools in Scotland and across and the UK.

Treated as hoaxes

"These messages were immediately assessed and are being treated as hoaxes. Our enquiries have established that there is nothing to suggest that they represent a credible threat or that there is any wider threat to the public.

Understandable concerns

“We understand how distressing messages of this nature can be for pupils, parents, carers and school staff, and the concern they can understandably cause. 

No requirement to evacuate

"Our advice is that there is no requirement to evacuate schools or keep children away from education based solely on the content of the emails. They have been sent widely to distribution lists across the UK and Northern Ireland and our assessment remains that they do not represent a credible threat.

Enquiries ongoing

“Police Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Unit is carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the source of the messages, and officers continue to liaise with law enforcement partners across the UK and internationally."