Polish police arrest teens over ‘Bloody Friday’ school attack threats

Polish police have arrested a string of young people, mainly for making threats related to school attacks, they said on Friday, as authorities sought to calm fears spurred by rumours online of a “Bloody Friday” after two stabbing sprees in as many days.

The incidents have prompted a nationwide security response, with police deployed to 10,000 schools and the government warning against the spread of misinformation that officials fear could inspire copycat attacks.

“There is a lot of emotionally charged misinformation circulating online – spontaneous reactions born of understandable anxiety – but there is no sign of any nationwide ‘challenge’ taking place,” Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said.