Key facts
- Retailers in Poland are removing Halloween products like fake knives from shelves.
- The decision follows three stabbing attacks at schools within four days.
- Thousands of police officers have been deployed to schools.
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk cited a "grim trend of violence" influenced by social media and video games.
- Biedronka, Poland's largest retailer, and children's retailer Smyk are among those withdrawing items.
- The attacks included incidents at a primary school and a further education college.
Polish retailers have begun removing Halloween-themed products, such as fake knives and gruesome costumes, from their shelves in response to three recent stabbing attacks at schools. The move by major chains like Biedronka and Smyk aims to avoid associations with violence, particularly concerning for children.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has attributed the incidents to a "grim trend of violence" influenced by social media and video games. Thousands of police officers have been deployed to schools across the country to enhance security and calm tensions. The latest attack occurred on Saturday at a college in Warsaw, injuring three people. Prior incidents included an attack at a primary school and another at a school in Ostroleka, which injured 10 people.
While Halloween is not a traditional Polish holiday, its celebration among young people has grown due to Western popular culture. Retailers stated their decision was guided by concern for the welfare of children and youth, deeming the presence of such items inappropriate in the current circumstances.