AXE FOUND AFTER CITY SCHOOL PUPILS ‘TARGETED’:
A GANG of youths carrying weapons targeted secondary school pupils in a “disturbance” which saw police called to the scene.
Police investigating the incident near Whitchurch High School in Cardiff said two boys aged 13 and 14, have been identified as the possible targets of the incident. They have been spoken to officers and are safe and well, a spokeswoman said.
Witnesses took to social media to describe how they saw teenagers with a claw hammer and hatchet during the disturbance on January 19.
Inspector Debbie Brown, from Fairwater Police Station, said: “Inquiries are continuing to identify those responsible and establish why this disturbance has taken place.
“Witnesses have described some of the young people involved as carrying weapons and a small handheld axe has been recovered from the roof of a shed
“Clearly this kind of behaviour is unacceptable and it is fortunate that noone was hurt.
“We urge parents to speak to their children about the dangers of carrying weapons.
“The last thing we want is to be knocking on a parents’ door delivering bad news that their son or daughter has been hurt or arrested for causing an injury.
“As always, we are working closely with Whitchurch High School and will be providing an increased police presence in the area before and after the school day to provide reassurance.”
A Cardiff council spokesman said in a statement that more than a dozen young people, not from Whitchurch High School, nor according to eye witnesses in any schools’ uniform, were seen in the village.
“Some of those young people were witnessed carrying allegedly dangerous items.
“They appeared to be intent on targeting a small number of Whitchurch High School students.
“Senior staff from Whitchurch High School were alerted and went to the village immediately. Members of the public also willingly provided assistance and the group dispersed. Nobody was hurt or physically attacked. The police were called and a number of units attended.”
He said police have also agreed – subject to resources – to have a visible presence in the area at the start and end of the school day.
“Parents, students and members of the public should be reassured that the police and Whitchurch High School are working in close partnership to ensure the safety of all.
“As always, we are working closely with Whitchurch High School and will be providing an increased police presence in the area before and after the school day to provide reassurance.”
People took to social media to describe what they saw. One posted on Facebook: “I was shocked to see a massive gang of kids around Whitchurch High, as they walked past a few of them were walking backwards arguing with a few of the other group following, one of the 13 or 14 year olds had a hatchet in his hand and one of the other group threatening him a claw hammer.
“Whitchurch High always had fights but weapons this is crazy. I want local people, especially those doing the school run with their own children to know that this happened and apparently has been happening for a while now. For me Whitchurch high need to be looking to resolve this issue along with the police. Parents should also be partly blamed as these kids cannot surely get these weapons anywhere else. The police turned up , but by then they had long gone.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number 022856.