Police have said they are treating a threatening email that was sent to hundreds of schools across Northern Ireland as a hoax.

The Education Authority (EA) said the message has “similarities” with a bogus threat sent to schools across the region last month.

Similar emails have been received by some schools in Scotland.

Police in the Republic of Ireland also said they were aware of a “generic communication” that has been sent to a number of educational establishments.

The Department of Education advised schools in Northern Ireland to remain open “unless otherwise advised by the PSNI”.

The email has been sent to more than 300 schools in Northern Ireland.

Police said the email originated from outside Northern Ireland and is being treated as a hoax.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said: “We take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern in the community, school communities and for students and parents.

“Our enquiries are ongoing, however, at this stage we consider the 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 this morning to provide reassurance.”

The EA statement said: “We are aware that another threatening email message has today been sent to a large number of schools in NI.

“The message has similarities with a bogus threat sent last month, which was declared a hoax by PSNI.

“EA is 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.

“Investigations are continuing. It is for PSNI to determine the credibility or otherwise of any such message.

“As always, 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.”

A message sent to parents at one school, seen by the Press Association, said it had been advised there was no credible threat and that the school would stay open following a check of the premises.

Last month, a number of schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland closed following a hoax bomb threat.

Stormont’s education minister Paul Givan said on that occasion that the threat was “Islamist” and had been signed off “Allahu Akbar”.

In a social media post, Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw said on Wednesday: “I strongly condemn the reckless bomb threats sent to schools this morning.

“Such actions are unacceptable, causing fear and distress among pupils, parents and staff.

“Please remain calm and follow official guidance.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected.”

In a statement, Ireland’s minister for education Hildegarde Naughton said the threats were being treated as “not credible”.

“The safety and well-being of students, staff and school communities remains our highest priority and my department will continue to work closely with An Garda Síochána on this matter,” she said.

“An Garda Síochána have advised my department and are advising schools that they assess this threat as not credible and there is no need for schools to evacuate.”

A Garda spokesperson said the force was “aware of a generic communication that has been sent to a number of educational establishments” in the Republic of Ireland.

The spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána assess this threat as not credible and is not advising any educational establishment to evacuate.

“Gardaí are engaging with a number of educational establishments.”