French Authorities Intensify School Security After Knife-Related Incidents

A high school student in La Seyne-sur-Mer was detained on February 5 for possessing multiple illegal knives at school, part of a preventative operation by police and the Ministry of National Education. The student, from Paul Langevin high school, was found with two knives and a cutter during a random check at the school entrance and was placed in police custody. Officials confirmed the student had no prior record or intelligence alerts. This arrest comes less than 24 hours after a middle school student allegedly attempted to murder an art teacher in nearby Sanary-sur-Mer, intensifying concerns about violence in schools.

The Ministry has been carrying out these screening operations since last year to curb the rise of weapon-related incidents and improve safety within educational institutions. While serious physical attacks like the recent stabbing remain rare, verbal aggression toward teachers has reportedly surged. The president of Autonome de solidarité laïque, an association supporting school staff, acknowledged the increase in verbal assaults following the attack on February 3 in Var, emphasizing that these events, though disturbing, do not alone define the state of school climate.

Law enforcement and educational authorities continue to focus on preventive security measures to protect students and staff as they navigate growing challenges within French schools.