France considers putting police in schools to tackle violence

The French government said on Friday it is considering plans to place police officers in schools in an effort to tackle violence following a string of incidents that prompted a debate about school security.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said after a meeting with the justice and education ministers that the government expects to present plans to officials next week.

“In the most difficult neighbourhoods, the possibility of having law enforcement officers in schools, with the agreement of principals, is not excluded,” Castaner said.

The meeting was called after a video showing a student threatening his teacher with a fake gun went viral in France last week. The teenager was charged with aggravated violence.

French media reported that four other high school pupils have also been accused of threatening two teachers with fake guns earlier this month in a school in the port city of Le Havre.