school violence — school violence — Minors were arrested in Nicosia after a violent incident at a secondary school in Aglantzia left a student and his father injured. Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 13, allegedly forced their way onto the school grounds on Monday, prompting immediate action from parents and police.
Footage revealed the boys attempting to climb over the school fence, raising concerns among the community about security at the institution. Police, who were nearby on patrol, detained the suspects and discovered a knuckle-duster in the possession of one of the boys.
This alarming event follows a previous attack last Saturday, where a 14-year-old student was assaulted by an older male after he refused to hand over money. The situation escalated when the student’s father intervened, resulting in both father and son being attacked.
Aglantzia Deputy Mayor Andreas Constantinou, who witnessed the Saturday altercation, described the scene as chaotic, stating that the student suffered a broken nose from an unprovoked attack. The assailant returned with a group of companions, including his own father, leading to further violence.
“I personally called the police and I don’t even want to think what would have happened if they hadn’t responded immediately,” Constantinou remarked, expressing gratitude for the swift police response. He noted that a knife, believed to belong to the assailants, was found at the scene, highlighting the potential for even greater harm.
The Nicosia Crime Investigation Department is currently looking into the Saturday incident. While no arrests have been made concerning that attack, police are aware of the key individuals involved and plan to question them shortly.
The recent spate of violence has triggered urgent calls from the School Board for heightened security measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras. The Education Ministry is actively reviewing the situation to address these concerns.
Political reactions have poured in following the incidents. DISY expressed dismay and called for a rigorous plan to combat delinquency and enhance safety in schools. AKEL suggested that these incidents may be linked to gang activity and highlighted the government’s responsibility to address the issue. ELAM demanded significant penalties and deportation for the offenders, asserting that the audacity displayed by these youths stems from a lack of effective suppression of such behaviour.
Government Spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis condemned the attack on the student, reaffirming the government’s commitment to eliminating such incidents. He urged citizens not to generalise the situation, emphasising ongoing efforts to ensure public safety.
