Luumäki residents suffer after screws spread on roads and public areas

Several car tyres have been punctured and a playground contaminated after someone deliberately scattered screws across roads, parking lots, and recreational paths in the Taavetti area of Luumäki, reports Finnish broadcaster Yle.

Over the past two weeks, dozens—possibly hundreds—of screws have been found on streets, cycle paths, supermarket parking areas, and a gravel running track. A local resident told Yle that children had collected 61 screws from a playground alone, while others reported finding clusters of 10 to 20 screws. The screws are described as new, bright, and 15–30 millimetres long.

Police in Southeast Finland have received a criminal report from about ten residents regarding the vandalism. Authorities have prioritised the investigation, according to Detective Inspector Kimmo Vasara.

“This has been moved to the top of our priority list,” Vasara said, noting that while petty crimes often increase in spring, this case is not part of a broader trend.

In addition to tyre damage, a car was slashed with a knife in a supermarket parking lot. The owner witnessed the incident, though police have not confirmed whether it is linked to the screw scatterings.

The local school briefly restricted outdoor activities after a report of a threatening individual with a bladed weapon in the area. Classes were held indoors for several hours until police confirmed it was safe to resume normal operations.

Vasara assured residents that police have tools to address the issue, including evidence collection and coercive measures. “We are gathering evidence and have means to put a stop to this,” he said.