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Polish schools under heightened police surveillance after attacks

20.10.2026 21:30
Polish police say they have recorded more than 500 incidents involving suspected offences and detained 195 individuals as part of a nationwide security operation following acts of violence at educational institutions earlier this month.
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Pixabay LicenseImage by Andrzej Rembowski from Pixabay

Officers have carried out nearly 258,000 checks at educational facilities across Poland since the start of the operation, police said on Tuesday.

The nationwide operation aims to protect children, young people and staff at schools and other educational institutions following acts of violence in early October.

In a statement posted on X, police said that by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, officers had recorded 528 incidents in which they were taking action over reasonable suspicions that an offence had been committed.

The figure refers to incidents under investigation and does not mean that offences have been confirmed in every case.

Police are also monitoring the internet around the clock and responding to every report, according to the statement.

Police interventions concern posts and videos published on social media, messaging services and class group chats. Officers are working to identify those behind threats, investigate reports of dangerous objects and patrol areas around schools.

The operation also includes meetings with students on how to respond to potential threats and use the internet responsibly.

'Bloody Friday': Thousands of Polish police officers visited schools nationwide to reassure students and teachers after two stabbing attacks by teenagers in as many days left one person dead and several injured. Photo: PAP/Przemysław Piątkowski

The police operation was launched following a series of knife attacks at Polish schools on October 7 and 8.

On October 7, a 19-year-old attacked schoolmates and teachers at a vocational school in Ostrołęka, 120 km northeast of Warsaw, injuring five students, two teachers and two other people.

A day later, a 15-year-old former student attacked three people with a knife at a primary school in the village of Leszczydół-Nowiny, near the town of Wyszków, about 50 km northeast of the capital. A 37-year-old school caretaker died in the attack.

A day earlier, a 19-year-old attacked schoolmates and teachers at a vocational school in Ostrołęka, 120 km northeast of the capital, injuring five students, two teachers and two other people.

Prosecutors said the suspect also attempted to detonate a homemade explosive device at the school.

Also on October 8, police in the town of Sierpc, 125 km northwest of Warsaw, foiled a planned school attack and detained a 17-year-old who had told classmates he planned to "do something bad at school," according to authorities.

The incidents were followed by a wave of online threats, images of dangerous objects and threats of further violence.

(pg/gs)