Pupil, 5, caught in schools weapons swoop

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD was among children found with a knife during searches at schools, according to police data.

Thousands of weapons, including samurai swords, axes and air guns were seized across the country, figures released by forces in England and Wales reveal.

Other weapons confiscated included at least 26 guns, including BB guns and an imitation firearm.

More unusual contraband included a police baton, a rolling pin and a 15-inch metal rod.

At least 47 schoolchildren found with weapons were under 10, the age at which someone can be prosecuted.

The figure includes three five-year-olds, one of whom was caught with a knife.

At least one in five incidents involved knives, while the data suggests an overall increase in the number of weapons found on school premises.

Analysis of data from 32 police forces showed there were 2,579 weapons found between April 2015 and February 2017. In the 11 months from April 2016 there were 1,369 weapons found – a rise of almost 20 per cent on the previous year, despite police involvement in schools.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Knife Crime, Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock, said: “We have recently seen an increase in young people carrying knives and this is worrying.”