Reykjavík council urges parents to discuss knife dangers following attack on youths

The Reykjavík School and Leisure Council has sent an email to all parents in the city, encouraging them to discuss the dangers of knife carrying with their children. This initiative follows a recent incident involving a 16-year-old boy who attacked three people during a cultural event, leaving one girl in serious condition in the hospital.

In total, 15,000 households received the email today addressing the issue of knife possession among youths. The council noted that there has been an increasing trend of children carrying knives to schools and leisure activities, which they deemed unacceptable. They emphasized the urgent need to halt this trend.

Helgi Grímsson, the head of the Reykjavík School and Leisure Council, stated that the recent alarming incident has prompted them to take a more serious stance on this issue. He indicated that the council needs to engage directly with parents, schools, and youth clubs to combat the threat posed by knife carrying among children.

Possession of weapons in public is prohibited under weapon laws, and the legal age for accountability starts at 15 years. Violations can lead to fines or imprisonment of up to four years.

Finally, Grímsson concluded with a call to action, asserting that all such incidents must be taken seriously. He emphasized that the community must unite to address this problem, firmly stating, “This cannot continue.”