Intruders break into Reykjavík schools and attack staff and pupils

Incidents threatening the safety of teachers and pupils occur every day in Reykjavík primary schools, including cases in which outsiders enter school buildings and assault people, mbl.is reports. Kristín Björnsdóttir, chair of the Reykjavík Teachers’ Association and an observer on the city’s School and Leisure Council, said she believed such attacks and violent behaviour were increasing.

The incidents vary in severity. Kristín said pupils also regularly attack teachers, sometimes causing injuries that may be permanent. She told mbl.is she knew of cases in which outsiders had entered schools and attacked pupils or staff, but declined to describe them in detail.

At a council meeting on Monday, members discussed safety policy and procedures in schools and leisure services. Kristín welcomed work to improve school safety, saying teachers had long felt unprotected and that responding to incidents could be difficult.

Many schools have several entrances, which can make it harder to control access. Kristín said some buildings are designed so visitors do not pass a reception desk or office when they enter. She also noted that many school buildings are old, while expectations for security have changed.

Kristín said clear procedures are essential, and that having a policy is not enough unless staff know how to put it into practice. The council said it was concerned by indications that incidents threatening staff safety were becoming more frequent and serious. Its discussion will inform further work on follow-up and prevention measures.