Reading time: 2 minutes 
In the wake of a tragic double homicide in Hradec Králové, Czech authorities are expressing deep concern over a significant rise in violent crimes committed by minors.
On Feb. 20, a 16-year-old boy was arrested for the fatal stabbing of two female shop assistants in a local store. Police apprehended the suspect within ten minutes, approximately one kilometer from the crime scene, and recovered a knife with a 20-centimeter blade nearby.
The attack appears to have been random, and investigators are currently interviewing witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage to determine the motive.
"For the current case, we will be interested not only in the person of the attacker, but also in the circumstances of the attack, his relations with the neighborhood and motivation," police officers said on X.
This incident underscores a troubling trend: over the past two years, violent offenses by individuals under 18 have surged by about 25 percent in the Czech Republic. According to police statistics, minors were responsible for 1,080 violent crimes, including ten murders, last year.
This marks an increase from 947 violent crimes and nine murders in 2023, and 701 violent crimes and seven murders by minors in 2022.
Politicians have described the attack as incomprehensible, horrific, and brutal, extending their condolences to the victims' families. Authorities are now focusing on understanding the assailant's background, relationships, and possible motivations. The National Counter Terrorism, Extremism, and Cybercrime Centre is also involved in the investigation.
Czechia has six psychiatrists per 100,000 children
In response to the escalating youth violence, the Czech Republic has been implementing crime prevention strategies. The "Crime Prevention Strategy in the Czech Republic for 2022 to 2027," according to the European Crime Prevention Network, emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of criminal behavior among youth through social interventions and community-based programs.
A 2023 report found that Czechia faces a severe shortage of child psychiatrists, with just 180 nationwide—one of the lowest rates in Europe. There are only six psychiatrists per 100,000 children, compared to 36 in Finland and 20 in Italy. Nearly half are nearing retirement, worsening the crisis. Experts warn the system is struggling to meet rising demand for mental health care.
In related news, an 18-year-old student who killed two people in a January knife attack at a school in eastern Slovakia was reported to have attempted suicide twice, according to Slovak TV. The student, identified as Samuel, first tried to hang himself in a Bratislava jail cell in late January and later attempted suicide in a prison hospital.
