Teachers sound the alarm after a record number of threats and violence in Stockholm

During September, a grim record was broken in Stockholm's schools when 338 incidents of threats and violence were reported - and now the trade union Sweden's Teachers in Stockholm has had enough, reports Vi Lärare. Chief protection officer Simon Sandström warns of a rapidly deteriorating situation for the staff at the school.

- The situation with threats and violence at several of the city's primary schools is escalating and acute. The development is going in the wrong direction, he tells the newspaper.

Simon Sandström highlights how teachers have been mistreated at two different upper secondary schools, one teacher has had several stitches in his face, and one has been attacked with a chair.

DN has previously reported that the number of reports of threats and violence at school in Sweden has almost doubled between 2016 and 2025. In September, 800 incidents had been reported to the Swedish Work Environment Authority.

As a result of the situation in Stockholm, Simon Sandström, together with two other chief protection officers, has now made a so-called 6:6a request to the education administration in Stockholm. The requirements include immediate protection and support efforts and the response is required within 14 days, reports Vi Lärare.

- During the autumn, staff were exposed to violence that caused bloodshot and visible bruises, as documented. In addition to this, recurring incidents of violence have been reported at the majority of primary schools where the situation is now serious, especially at the primary level. The police are involved in several incidents, says Simon Sandström.

The request to the education administration includes 15 "serious and urgent deficiencies".

- We request that the employer ensure and introduce a functioning organization for emergency protection and practical relief when a school's own resources are not enough, says Simon Sandström to the newspaper.

DN has been in contact with the education administration, which is commenting on the situation via primary school director Peter Bragner.

"We take this seriously, work continuously to prevent threats and violence and, for example, inform employees about the importance of reporting incidents in our IA system," he writes in an email reply.

According to Peter Bragner, many of the reported incidents are about children between pre-school class and year 3, and in adapted primary schools.

What do you do about the situation?

"We work continuously on this, for example we inform employees about the importance of reporting incidents, we also provide training and support material," reads the email reply.

Peter Bragner further writes that the education administration will respond to the union within the required 14 days.