Police investigate hoax bomb threat emails sent to hundreds of schools as hundreds of families contact authorities

Northern Ireland schools minister Paul Givan said the messages were signed 'Allahu Akbar' and threatened that Sharia law would be brought into the country. At least one local authority suspects they were written with artificial intelligence. Police Scotland's Cyber and Fraud Unit is investigating after more than 300 calls from worried families. In Northern Ireland, 160 schools were hit first, and the PSNI now puts the total at 300.

Fox Covert, Leith, Queensferry and Towerbank primaries in Edinburgh were reportedly evacuated.

Around 148 Glasgow schools received the emails, and some evacuated before resuming lessons.

One Edinburgh parent called the council's response 'a bit cavalier' as pupils return Tuesday.