Two teenagers have been identified and detained after setting fire to rubbish, damaging trees and throwing stones at a surveillance camera outside a secondary school in Polgár, eastern Hungary. Police reportedly identified the suspects within just 24 hours.

The incident caused widespread outrage in the town after security camera footage captured the youths vandalising the public space in front of the local secondary school.

Camera footage captured the vandalism

Polgár Mayor József Tóth first reported the incident on social media in an unusually angry post, expressing his frustration over the destruction of trees, shrubs and flowers that had been carefully maintained throughout the hot and unusually dry summer.

The town’s surveillance cameras recorded two young people tearing out newly planted trees before apparently setting fire to rubbish in the public area. They also threw stones at one of the cameras, according to the footage released by the mayor. The damage came despite the municipality’s efforts to keep the area in good condition throughout the summer heat and lack of rainfall.

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Police identified the suspects within a day

The vandalism prompted an immediate police investigation. According to HAON, officers in Hajdú-Bihar County identified the suspected perpetrators within 24 hours. The suspects are reportedly two 14-year-old boys.

The mayor subsequently shared a photograph of one of the minors on social media, describing the youths as having disregarded the basic rules of community life and calling for them to face the legal consequences of their actions. “In addition to legal accountability, his actions should result in public condemnation and contempt,” he added.

At the same time, his comments prompted a discussion about how communities should respond to serious vandalism committed by minors, particularly when public property and potentially dangerous acts such as fire-setting are involved.

The case has attracted considerable attention locally, with residents expressing anger over the destruction of public greenery and the apparent attempt to damage the town’s surveillance system. The investigation will determine the exact circumstances of the incident and what legal consequences the two teenagers may face.

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