Politics · France · 2 hrs ago
French schools expand security measures amid concerns about violence
Schools in France are debating how best to protect students and staff from violence.
In a middle school in Troyes, a security gate detects knives and box cutters; the equipment costs about €10,000 and remains rare in France.
In 2023, 911 teachers were assaulted.
Since March 2025, police have carried out 28,000 random bag searches and seized nearly 1,000 bladed weapons.
The Essonne department has spent €30 million installing 800 cameras in its middle schools, and footage from one school helped identify students involved in a mortar attack.
Education unions warn that technology and searches cannot replace human attention or turn schools into fortress-like places.
A student who brings a weapon into a middle school faces up to three years in prison and a €45,000 fine.
French schools are expanding security measures amid concern about violence against students and staff.
A college in Troyes uses a security gate that detects knives and box cutters, a device costing about €10,000.
Since March 2025, 28,000 bag searches by law enforcement have led to the seizure of nearly 1,000 bladed weapons.
The Essonne department has spent €30 million to install 800 cameras in its colleges.
School leaders’ union representatives warn that security technology cannot replace human oversight or turn schools into bunkers.
- Who
- French schools and local authorities are adding security measures; school leaders’ union representatives caution against relying only on security technology.
- What
- Schools are using measures including security gates, bag checks and cameras amid concern about violence.
- When
- The report was published on 12 October 2026. The article says bag searches have been conducted since March 2025.
- Where
- Schools in France, including a college in Troyes and colleges in Essonne.
- Why
- To protect students and staff from violence and weapons in schools.
Security measures
School leaders’ union representatives
Effectiveness
Security measures
Supporters of measures such as gates, bag searches and cameras see them as ways to detect weapons and identify people involved in incidents.
School leaders’ union representatives
The SNPDEN secretary says security cannot be achieved without human oversight.
Role of technology
Security measures
The article reports that cameras at a college in Essonne helped identify students after a mortar attack.
School leaders’ union representatives
The union representative warns that schools should not become bunkers or airport-style security checkpoints.
The article says 911 teachers were assaulted.
Bag searches by law enforcement led to the seizure of nearly 1,000 bladed weapons.
Cameras at Boileau College helped identify students involved in a mortar attack.
franceinfo published its report on security measures in schools.
- Troyes security gate
- About €10,000
- Teacher assaults
- 911 in 2023
- Bag searches
- 28,000 since March 2025
- Bladed weapons seized
- Nearly 1,000
- Essonne camera investment
- €30 million for 800 cameras
What people are saying
Il y a eu une attaque au mortier. Ça a permis justement d'identifier les élèves, de voir comment ils étaient habillés, ce genre de choses
C'est une illusion d'imaginer que la sécurité se fait sans regard humain. Il n'est pas question que nos établissements se transforment en bunkers, en sas d'aéroport
Ce serait important de fouiller les sacs pour qu'on se sente vraiment bien en sécurité
C'est déjà arrivé d'avoir quelqu'un qui a ramené un couteau suisse, et ça peut être dangereux
Sources
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