French police began carrying out random bag checks at schools on Thursday as authorities launch a crackdown on knife violence following a fatal stabbing earlier this week.
Education Minister Elisabeth Borne and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced the move outside Beaugrenelle Vocational College in Paris’s 15th arrondissement.
"We're increasing random and unexpected security operations at school entrances to conduct bag searches for knives and drugs. Stronger deterrence and stricter penalties are absolutely necessary," said Retailleau.
The spot checks will continue until the end of the academic year in July, following a directive issued to police prefects and school principals on Wednesday.
France to deploy police at schools for spot bag searches in wake of stabbings
The heightened security comes after a 17-year-old student was fatally stabbed on Monday during a confrontation between rival gangs from two suburban towns southeast of Paris.
The incident occurred outside Louis-Armand Vocational College in the Essonne department.
"Just a few months earlier, a 16-year-old lost their life in a similar incident," said Retailleau. "We cannot accept the unacceptable. This relentless and horrific cycle of violence must end."
France seeks clampdown on teen violence after boy's fatal stabbing
Zero tolerance
The ministers outlined a zero-tolerance approach to weapons found during searches, with different procedures based on age.
"For adults, an automatic fixed fine for a criminal offence will be issued immediately," said Retailleau. "For minors, it's straight to the police station, with their parents summoned. We are not letting anything slide."
Posting on X, Retailleau added: "We are implementing a system to combat violence in the vicinity of schools, starting today.
"Preventive searches, raising awareness among pupils, training of staff. Pupils carrying bladed weapons will be systematically reported to the public prosecutor."
