Campaigners brand situation ‘shocking’

because incidents were only recorded when they resulted in an exclusion.

Fife and Western Isles authorities failed to respond to requests for information.

The new figures are revealed as the Ben Kinsella Trust, a youth charity, warns young people are becoming “increasingly desensitised” by knife crime, and consider the fatal consequence to be an inevitability of life.

Nor th East MSP and the Conservatives’ justice spokesman, Liam Kerr, said the national figures were “deeply alarming”.

He said: “Nobody wants to see a repeat of the horrific events at Cults Academy.

“The statistics from Aberdeen City Council will horrify parents. If there have been 20 incidents in a nine- month period then that raises some very serious questions.

“I would be interested to know if this is just a product of a more strict approach in schools since the Bailey Gwynne tragedy or if we are facing an upward trend of pupils carrying weapons.”

North East Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles added: “There is never any excuse for carrying a knife in school or elsewhere.

“Aberdeen City Council and their partners need to ensure that they are doing everything in their power to stamp it out.”

A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said the recommendations from the report into Bailey Gwynne’s death had all been implemented.

He added: “Support and training was given to head teachers on reporting knife incidents in partnership with Police Scotland.

“In September 2016 a citywide meeting was held and the weapons protocol established.”

Meanwhile, a stained glass window commemorating Bailey has been installed at his school.

The colourful artwork was unveiled during a private event, which was attended by his family.

The panel includes references to some of Bailey’s favourite places, including Paris, Barcelona and Caithness, as well as the Gwynne family dogs, the Scouts, his family and friends and his hopes for a career in the Marines.