Polish police check 50,000 schools after series of attacks, detain 76 people

Following a series of incidents related to threats to safety in educational institutions, Polish law enforcement officers conducted a large-scale check of nearly 50,000 educational facilities. According to data released on the morning of Saturday, 10 October, 231 incidents had been recorded, and 76 people had been detained across the country.

The strengthening of security measures was a reaction to tragic events in Mazovian Voivodeship. In particular, a key factor in activating police action was a fatal knife attack near the city of Wyszków.

Details of incidents in Mazovian Voivodeship

Operational measures began after several events in the region. On Thursday, 8 October, in the village of Leszczudul-Nowiny in Wyszków County, a 15-year-old former primary school student attacked three people with a knife. Among the victims were a staff member of the educational institution and its principal. Despite resuscitation attempts, the woman died. This case became one of the main reasons for the introduction of additional security measures in schools across the country.

Another incident occurred on Wednesday, 7 October, at the Complex of Professional Schools No. 4 in the city of Ostrołęka. At that time, nine people were injured. On the same day, in the city of Sierpc, police managed to prevent a potential attack by carrying out the relevant operation.

Monitoring and investigation

Polish police emphasised that, within the framework of the investigation into the recorded cases, they are carrying out operational actions if there is a well-founded suspicion of the commission of offences. Law enforcement officers stress that they are monitoring the internet network around the clock and responding to every message about potential threats.

It was previously reported that on 24 September, a knife attack took place on the territory of a Benedictine nuns' monastery in Jarosław. At that time, five people were injured, including three clergy members, one of whom died in hospital. The perpetrator turned out to be a 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen, who was detained and the weapon was seized. His motives are currently being established.