Alert over rise in school weapons
Thousands of weapons including samurai swords, axes and air guns have been seized in schools.
The majority of cases involved children, some as young as five, according to police figures for England and Wales. The data suggests an overall increase in the number of weapons found on school premises.
THOUSANDS OF weapons including samurai swords, axes and air guns have been seized in schools across the country, it has been revealed today.
The majority of cases involved children, including some as young as five, according to police figures for England and Wales.
At least one in five incidents involved knives, while the data suggests an overall increase in the number of weapons found on school premises.
Police chiefs said there had been a “worrying” increase in young people carrying knives.
It follows the murder of Leeds schoolteacher Ann Maguire, who was stabbed to death by 15-yearold Will Cornick at Corpus Christi Catholic College in April 2014.
Teacher Vincent Uzomah was seriously injured the next year when he was stabbed at Dixons Kings Academy in Bradford by a racist pupil.
Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, said: “We have recently seen an increase in young people carrying knives and this is worrying.
“We are responding to this trend by targeting those who carry them illegally and working with retailers to reduce the sale of knives to underage people through nationally coordinated operations.”
Press Association analysis of data from 32 police forces which supplied figures showed there were 2,579 weapons found from 2015/16 to this year.
The total number is likely to be much higher, when considering those forces that did not provide data or offered only incomplete figures, under Freedom of Information laws.
In 2016/17 alone, 1,369 weapons were found – a rise of almost 20 per cent on the previous year, despite this not covering a full 12month period.
Humberside Police saw the number of weapons seized rise from 13 in 2015/16 to 23 for the current year to date, with one 16-year-old being found in possession of three knives.
The figures for North Yorkshire were lower but still increased from two in 2015/16 to six in 2016/17, with all but one of the weapons seized being knives.
According to the 24 forces that gave details on the type of weapon, just under 500 of those seized were knives or bladed articles.
Other weapons confiscated included at least 26 guns, including BB guns, air rifles and an imitation firearm. More unusual items included a police baton, a rolling pin, a beer can and a 15in metal rod.
At least 47 children found with weapons were below 10 years old, the age at which someone can be prosecuted. In a minority of cases, depending how information was recorded, incidents could have involved use of body parts such as a fist.
Mr Hitchcock, said: “Schools should be free of weapons and all children should be able to learn without fear or violence.
“Carrying a weapon of any kind in schools is not an issue for a school to deal with alone; police and partners will always be willing to work with them and take appropriate action.”
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, added: “Schools work closely with the police to protect and educate their pupils, and in some cases police officers are stationed in schools.
“Where appropriate, schools conduct searches and use metal detectors, and they implement robust disciplinary procedures against anyone found in possession of a weapon.
“Young people are taught about the dangers of offensive weapons both in lessons and in talks delivered by invited speakers.”
All children should be able to learn without fear or violence. Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime.