Schools closed in Mazovia, police increase patrols following teenage attacks
Polish police are conducting intensive operations following a series of knife attacks in schools in Mazovia. Some facilities remain closed, and authorities are appealing for calm and urging the public not to spread unverified information.
School closures and increased police presence
According to rmf24.pl, the largest changes have been made in the Mazovian municipality of Wyszków, where all primary schools (public and private) and nurseries have closed. Pupils remain at home, with only childcare provided at the facilities. This is a direct response to Thursday's attack by a 15-year-old primary school graduate in Leszczydole-Nowiny, in which a 37-year-old school employee was killed and two adults were injured — the headteacher and a teacher.
Closures have also affected other areas. Secondary schools have been closed in Pułtusk, Wołomin and Ciechanów counties. Authorities in Piaseczno and Legionowo have also made such decisions, closing two schools based on an unverified report to the authorities. In Góra Kalwarii, authorities issued an appeal to parents to keep their children at home.
Warsaw has taken a different approach. The city council does not recommend cancelling classes, but has obliged headteachers to increase security controls — only pupils and staff will be admitted to facilities. Police and municipal police patrols will be stationed at schools.
Actions by authorities and the internet challenge hypothesis
Polish police stated in a statement sent via the X platform that since reports of an alleged internet challenge emerged, officers have been carrying out verification activities. "So far there is nothing to suggest that such an event has actually taken place," they said. At the same time, the authorities are responding to all reports and tracking every concerning signal on the internet.
Head of the Police Headquarters General Inspector Marek Boroń assured Polsat News that from the morning onwards, police would be present in all primary and secondary schools. "We will try to catch individuals who we believe are suspicious," he said. The commander is appealing to society, pupils and teachers to report suspicious plans or concerning statements.
Series of attacks in Mazovia
The Thursday attack in Leszczydole-Nowiny is the latest such incident in the Mazovian Voivodeship. On Wednesday, a 19-year-old stabbed nine people at Vocational School No. 4 in Ostrołęka — five pupils, two teachers and two other persons. The attacker was carrying a rucksack containing homemade explosive material. He was charged with attempted murder of multiple persons with motivation deserving particular condemnation and use of explosive materials. He faces a life sentence.
On Wednesday evening, police from Sierpc detained a 17-year-old who allegedly told his colleagues about plans to "do something bad at school". During a search, officers secured two knives found in the teenager's bag and his mobile phone, in which they found searches for information about a planned attack. A teacher alerted the police after receiving information from pupils.
On Thursday, officers from Mazovia detained a 17-year-old suspected of creating an AI-generated video in which he threatened an attack at a secondary school in Przasnysz. The same day, a 16-year-old from Szczytno (Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship) was detained after posting a video with threats of carrying out an attack on pupils at one of the secondary schools.
Appeals by authorities and disinformation
Following the series of attacks, information spread on the internet about alleged plans for a "bloody Friday" and lists of schools that were targets. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration is appealing for calm, urging the public not to spread unverified reports and to use only reliable sources. Police also warn that individuals who deliberately attempt to cause panic may face criminal charges.
The Warsaw city council said in an evening statement: "We ask that you remain calm and use only verified sources of information". Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Marcin Kierwiński assured that, in line with a directive from Prime Minister Donald Tusk, police officers would enter schools directly after making arrangements with headteachers.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)