Hooligans spread fear in Chorzów. They attacked random people

According to residents, masked attackers were driving a car along the streets of the housing estate, hunting for passers-by. After stopping the vehicle, they would run out of it, attack people they met, and then drive away, only to reappear in a different location a moment later and attack again. According to witnesses, particular aggression was directed towards young people.

— These people organized a hunt for passers-by in broad daylight — reports a resident of the district, quoted by “Gazeta Wyborcza”. — They beat them, knocked them down and kicked them, then returned to their cars and drove on — he adds.

The severely beaten passers-by were surprised and defenseless against the brutal actions of the attackers. It is still unknown whether the attacks were random or whether the victims were selected in advance. According to informants from “Gazeta Wyborcza”, the attacks took place in several places in the district, and there were supposedly several attackers. They all had one thing in common – balaclavas in the colors of specific fan groups.

Investigation into a crime against life and health

The Provincial Police Headquarters in Katowice has responded to the case. At this stage, explanatory actions are being conducted in terms of a crime against life and health.

- We have initiated proceedings regarding a crime against life and health. We do not yet have an official notification from any potential victims. We are still conducting findings, investigating the causes and circumstances of this event. At the moment we cannot provide more details, but we know that we are dealing with the activity of hooligan circles - said Commissioner Sabina Chyra-Giereś, press officer of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Katowice.

The lack of reports from victims may be due to concerns about their own safety, as well as fear of revenge from the attackers. Meanwhile, the local community is shocked by the scale of violence and the lack of reaction at the time of the incident.

Hooligans as torturers

According to the findings of “Gazeta Wyborcza”, the attacks may have been connected to the hooligan communities of the clubs GKS Katowice and Górnik Zabrze. The affiliation of the attackers to these groups is indicated by the colours they wore on their balaclavas – the club colours, which left no doubt as to their affiliation.

While brutal behavior in the hooligan community is nothing new, the escalation of aggression in open spaces, with violence directed at random passers-by, is an extremely disturbing phenomenon. Such actions not only constitute a serious breach of public order, but also spread fear among residents who fear for their safety.

— It looked like some kind of show or an attempt at intimidation — says one of the residents who witnessed the attack but chose not to react out of fear for his life.

Fear and frustration of residents

The residents of the "Cwajka" district do not hide their indignation and helplessness. In their opinion, such a scale of aggression in broad daylight is proof of the growing impunity of hooligan groups and the insufficient response of the law enforcement services.

"Such things used to happen after matches, at night, somewhere far from the housing estates. Now they attack in the middle of the day, without any inhibitions. And we are afraid to leave our homes," says an elderly woman who lives near the site of one of the attacks.

Other residents have expressed similar sentiments, demanding decisive action from the city authorities and police. Some have announced that if the situation repeats itself, they will organize citizen patrols.

Police appeal for help from witnesses

Officers do not hide the fact that any information regarding the incident may be significant. They appeal to witnesses and potential victims to contact the police. They remind that reports can be anonymous and all data will be covered by the confidentiality of the investigation.

The Chorzów case may become a turning point in the debate on safety on the streets of Silesian cities. Hopefully, however, no more victims will be needed for public opinion and state institutions to treat the problem with due seriousness.

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