Horror in school canteen as boy, 14, slashed in face
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy was slashed in the face with a breadknife in a horror attack at a school canteen yesterday.
The teenager suffered a serious facial wound in the incident in West Lothian, which happened shortly before 9am.
Some pupils claimed that a fight broke out between two boys before one of them pulled out a kitchen knife.
A teenage boy was detained in connection with the incident.
The mother of the boy who was wounded said: ‘I’m still in shock.’
But she said her son, who was treated at St John’s Hospital in Livingston, would ‘be fine’.
The attack caused shock and anger among pupils and parents, with some people calling for CCTV cameras and metal detectors at the school.
One former pupil said: ‘It is awful, I’m absolutely shocked. Imagine your child going to school and getting slashed on the face? Imagine the parents getting that call? It is quite concerning that it’s happening in this area.
‘They should make an example of that boy, they don’t do anything to bullies. Apparently they’ve just had a campaign called “No knives, save lives” and now this is happening. My kids were meant to be going there, but maybe not now.’
Other social media users suggested on Facebook that stricter security may be needed. Maria Thompson wrote: ‘Time for metal detector at school entrances?’ Kevin Monaghan added: ‘Licensed security guards and full coverage CCTV is where we’re heading.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said it had received a call at around 8.55am after a ‘14-year-old boy sustained a serious facial injury’. He added: ‘A teenage boy was detained by officers in connection with this. Enquiries are ongoing.’
West Lothian Council confirmed it was aware of the alleged incident. A spokesman said: ‘It is not appropriate to say more while the police investigation is ongoing.’
Hannah Bardell, Nationalist MP for Livingston, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the student affected.’
Last night a 13-year-old boy was charged in connection with the serious assault.
A report will be submitted to the Children’s Reporter and the Proc- urator Fiscal. Superintendent Craig Smith, of Lothians and Scottish Borders division said: ‘Violent incidents of this nature are thankfully rare in West Lothian schools and we are continuing to work with West Lothian Council to reassure pupils and the wider community.’
He added: ‘There will be a continued police presence at (the school) for the time being and additional support will be in place for pupils as they return to school on Wednesday.’
In 2015, Bailey Gwynne, 16, was stabbed to death by a fellow pupil at Cults Academy in Aberdeen.
The city’s council recently introduced a new anti-knife policy in response to the killing.
But in January the Scottish Government said that it would not legislate to give teachers more power to search pupils.
‘It’s awful, I’m shocked’