Alarming Rise in School Threats: A Towering 58% Increase in North Rhine-Westphalia
Escalating Security Concerns in Schools Across NRW - Escalating school safety concerns in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) due to a rise in potentially hazardous incidents.
Let's dive into the chilling upsurge in threatened criminal offenses at North Rhine-Westphalian schools, according to a recent report. Take a look at the staggering 58% hike in such incidents from 2023 to 2024, reaching an alarming 375 cases!
School Minister Dorothee Feller (CDU) shared these chilling figures in response to a query posed by AfD MP Christian Blex about the threat landscape at North Rhine-Westphalian schools. Incidentally, the threats were no mere words but encompassed bomb threats, verbal assaults, social media and forum posts, and anonymous letters.
The years 2019 to 2021 had single-digit figures for disrupting public peace by threatening criminal offenses around the school premises. Dorothee Feller shed light on the school premises, stating they encompass any criminal acts committed within a school building, the enclosed school area, or the immediate vicinity.
Last week alone, a nationwide series of bomb threats targeting schools saw 285 schools in NRW impacted, as reported by Feller.
Disciplinary action: Schools' call
Whether schools impose disciplinary actions following criminal offenses or threats is entirely their decision, as per Feller's response to the AfD query. However, Feller clarified that a comprehensive statewide recording of such disciplinary measures is not maintained.
Although prevention may not regulate every form of violence and threats, Feller emphasized that crime should be reported to the police. Feller highlighted the need to make schools safe havens for students, amidst the AfD's call for new strategies due to escalating student violence.
- Threat landscape
- Police
- Criminal offense
- Dorothee Feller
- AfD
- NRW
- Threat of mass violence
- CDU
- Christian Blex
According to recent findings, the authorities are pinning hopes on preventive measures and educational support to combat threats in schools. Extensive initiatives geared towards addressing violence and extremism in educational institutions are in progress.
The Minister for Schools and Education, Dorothee Feller, has set a new dialogue format into motion to tackle such issues and support schools effectively. Furthermore, she proposes strengthening schools in the fight against extremism by allocating additional resources for prevention and counseling.
In a notable move, the Landesregierung (state government) plans to create 54 additional positions aimed at bolstering prevention and counseling to quell extremism in schools. While specific police responses are not delved into, there is a clear focus on enhancing school safety through educational and preventive measures.
- The staggering increase in criminal offenses at North Rhine-Westphalian schools, as revealed in a recent report, has prompted calls for new strategies, such as the strengthening of schools in the fight against extremism.
- While Dorothee Feller, the school minister, emphasizes that crime should be reported to the police, there are plans to bolster prevention and counseling within schools, with the Landesregierung (state government) aiming to create 54 additional positions for this purpose.
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