A Tradition That Draws Huge Crowds
All Saints' Day, marked on November 1, is a solemn national holiday in Poland. On that day and the days around it, Polish Catholics visit the graves of relatives and friends. They light candles, lay flowers and spend a quiet moment in memory of those who have died.

The tradition is deeply personal, but it also brings a practical headache. Streets near cemeteries fill with cars and pedestrians, and where there are crowds, petty crime tends to follow.

Operation Hyena and the City Guards
To keep visitors safe, at least 550 city guards will be stationed at cemeteries across Warsaw under a campaign called Operation Hyena. Their main job is to stop people from stealing candles and wreaths from graves. They will also keep an eye out for pickpockets who see a packed cemetery as an easy target.

Officials have a simple request for the public: keep your belongings close at all times. They also ask people to look out for children or elderly visitors who may be on their own and need a hand.

Police on the Roads
Warsaw police will work alongside the guards, mainly around the cemeteries and on the roads leading to them. Their goal is to keep traffic moving without delays. Officers will check vehicle speeds, test drivers for alcohol and direct cars at the busiest spots, police said.

The police operation will continue until Monday, November 2. City guards will stay in place a day longer, until November 3.