'Large number' of schools sent threatening email

A threatening email has been sent to a large number of schools in Northern Ireland, according to the Education Authority (EA).It said the "message has similarities with a bogus threat sent last month" which was treated as a hoax by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).Police said they are conducting urgent enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question about the latest incident.In October, a number of schools closed after an email threatened that "an explosive device" was located within hundreds of schools in Northern Ireland.The EA said it was "liaising with police on this latest message"."At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of any credible threat to schools," the statement said.It added that "schools are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to PSNI"."We fully appreciate that any message of this nature is distressing and can assure schools, parents/carers and children and young people that we will provide a further update following engagement with police."Police said they had received reports of "a concerning email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland".