Poland sends more than 20,000 police officers to schools after series of stabbing attacks

On Monday, October 12, a large-scale police operation to ensure security in schools began in Poland after three recent stabbing attacks. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has vowed to counter the “growing trend of youth violence,” according to sb.by.

Authorities have denied rumours that the attacks were linked to an online protest or organized group, but Donald Tusk told a crisis meeting on Sunday that glorifying online violence is having a devastating impact on young people.

“We are seeing a growing interest in violence both in Poland and around the world. “We are witnessing a grim upward trend in violence,” he said, adding that the main factors are content promoting Nazi ideology and the “cult of power,” as well as violent computer games.

Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kerwinski said late on Sunday that more than 20,000 police officers would be sent to schools on Monday.

“We need to send a clear message: there will be no tolerance for attacks on Polish children, as well as for the immersion of public life in anarchy,” he told state news channel.

On Monday, police said they had inspected 80,000 schools since Friday and detained 135 people.