In response to growing fears of immigrant-related violence, citizen patrols have emerged in several Polish towns. The first patrol was organized in Kórnik on September 10, quickly expanding to nearby towns like Środa Wielkopolska, Śrem, and Zaniemyśl. The initiative was partly sparked by a recent attack in Śrem, where a group of immigrants assaulted locals, leaving one seriously injured.
Recent Violent Incident
The attack in Śrem, involving immigrants from Argentina and Colombia, led to public outrage. A Polish man was critically wounded when an Argentinian national used a broken bottle to sever his carotid artery. While the attacker has been charged with attempted murder, other assailants face lesser charges and remain under police supervision but not in custody.
In Kórnik, where immigrants reportedly harassed local women, a YouTuber and MMA fighter named Rafał “Antykonfident” Podejma spearheaded the first patrol. Police have since monitored these patrols, instructing participants to report any suspicious activities to authorities.
Growing Movement Across Poland
As immigration to Poland increases, particularly from Germany, more towns are likely to adopt citizen patrols. With over 4,600 illegal immigrants recently turned back from Germany to Poland, tensions are expected to rise.