‘We’re alarmed’ Knuckledusters and knives seized from school pupils
BRISTOL schoolchildren have been caught with knives, knuckledusters and nunchucks.
Between 2021 and 2023 police officers responded to 126 incidents in schools seizing 24 weapons.
Almost half of the callouts to schools resulted in “diversionary, educational, intervention”.
A community resolution was reached in six cases, five youths were cautioned and two cases saw individuals charged with an offence. The remaining incidents resulted in no action for a variety of reasons.
Chief executive Patrick Green, chief executive of knife prevention charity the Ben Kinsella Trust, said: “We are alarmed by the frequency of knife and weapons-related offences committed in our schools, but sadly it is not surprising. Young people who we work with tell us that those young people who carry knives do so for safety.
“The introduction of weapons into schools poses a serious threat to young people, staff, and the school community and it highlights the urgency for robust preventative and supportive measures to address the root causes of young people’s fear.
“An entire generation of young people have missed out on youth services and other essential services as we have seen successive governments decimate funding for young people in the last 10 to 15 years.
“We are witnessing the continued failure of our policymakers to support young people. It is essential to create an environment where young people feel safe, are encouraged to seek help when needed and are empowered with the resources and skills needed to thrive.”
Avon and Somerset Police insisted it took knife crime “extremely seriously” and was working with schools and community groups to reduce the number of young people carrying weapons.
A spokesman said: “School workshops, such as Blunt Truth which is delivered in partnership with the NHS, educate children of the increased danger carrying a knife poses to them and others. Officers from the early intervention and neighbourhood teams will also visit schools in their areas to provide crime prevention and safety advice, and knife crime will be a regular topic of discussion. Early intervention work is also carried out to try to identify potential children at risk of being vulnerable to criminal exploitation so safeguarding work can be carried out.
“Similarly, Avon and
Somerset’s
Patrick Green chief exec at the Ben Kinsella trust
Violence Reduction Partnership works with partners to deliver a range of youth support services, including school initiatives, mentoring and outreach youth work to further raise awareness among young people of the consequences on knife crime.
“There have been some incidents in the past few years where we have been made aware of knife crime offences committed by children on school grounds, the majority of which have been possession offences with no further incident.
“It should be stressed the number of such incidents is low and while each report is taken seriously, schools remain an incredibly safe environment for children of all ages.
“National guidance is that police should try to avoid criminalising young children for lower-level offences. Instead, emphasis should be placed on engaging with the child, to understand the reason they have committed an offence, work with partners to solve any problems that become apparent and in appropriate cases seek to deal with the matter through education. Therefore in almost half of the reported incidents between 202123 a decision was made to deal with the child involved by an educational or diversionary means, because that is considered to be a more effective way of reducing the likelihood of them reoffending in future.
“Other action taken includes cautions or charges where that was felt to be the most suitable outcome. In cases where there is a victim, their views will always be considered.”