THE PSNI HAS said a threatening email which resulted in a Co Antrim school locking its doors is not a “credible threat”.

In a statement this morning, the PSNI said it had been made aware of an email that was sent to multiple schools and businesses in the Co Antrim area.

The PSNI said “reassurance patrols” had been increased in the areas affected.

South Antrim DUP MLA Trevor Clarke this morning said that while “any threat must be taken seriously, it is important that alarm is not caused unnecessarily”.

“Whatever the background to this message, it is important that whoever sent it is identified and dealt with appropriately,” he added.

Local SDLP councillor Roisin Lynch remarked that the “threatening message and reports of a hoax attack have caused understandable fear and anxiety”.

“It was a deeply sinister act clearly designed to cause disruption and distress and it is difficult to understand what could motivate someone to target children, parents and school staff in this way,” she added.

Lynch also commended the “swift response from police, emergency services and schools to reassure pupils and parents and ensure people’s safety” and “encouraged anyone with information to cooperate fully with the police investigation”.

Meanwhile, St Benedict’s College in Randalstown, Co Antrim today said it was informed by the PSNI that “the matter is not being treated as a serious threat”.

However, its school doors were locked throughout the day “as a precaution”.

“Pupils will remain indoors until we receive further guidance from the PSNI,” said the school in a post to social media.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our highest priority.”

Northern Ireland’s Education Authority meanwhile said it would continue to liaise with schools and the PSNI and encouraged “everyone to continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police”.

It added that “all schools that received the email remained open, and reassurance patrols have been increased in affected areas”.

In a further statement this afternoon, the PSNI said it is continuing to investigate the contents of the email.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Kelly Moore said it is believed that the email was “circulated in a deliberate attempt to cause significant disruption to daily life”.

“However, we would like to reassure communities that nothing untoward has been located following our enquiries,” said Moore, “and this is not believed to be a credible threat at this time.”

She appealed to the public to report anything suspicious to police and added that the PSNI “takes incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, not to mention the disruption it has caused”.

Moore also said that the PSNI is “aware of social media posts in relation to this matter” and called on the public “not to share posts or speculate online”.