Sheffield school 'first in Yorkshire' to launch weapons amnesty
It's as figures show nationally, kids as young as 5 have been caught with knives
A Sheffield school has become the first in Yorkshire to launch a weapons amnesty - as figures reveal nationally, thousands have been confiscated from pupils.
Parkwood Academy is working with South Yorkshire police and local charities to educate young people about the dangers of knife and gun crime. There hasn’t been a previous problem with weapons there – but the school wants to make sure pupils are aware of the issue.
“The truth of the matter is, no other school in Yorkshire has done this yet,” says head teacher Victoria Simcock.
“I know that at least one other academy has done this, but that was in London and actually I think now it’s a national problem and it needs to have a national driven agenda where we’re all brave enough to do the right thing.
“I have to keep students and staff safe, and in order to do, I think it’s vitally important that we educate them on the growing problem in society of large about knife crime.
“It’s something that I do worry about on a daily basis, because my job is to safeguard everybody.”
It comes as figures from 32 police forces in England and Wales reveal air guns, axes and samurai swords have been taken to class - with children as young as five being found with a weapon.
At least one in five incidents involved knives, while the data suggests an overall increase in the number of weapons found on school premises.
There were 2,579 weapons found from the 2015/16 financial year to this year – with the true number thought to be much higher.
Other weapons confiscated included at least 26 guns, including BB guns, air rifles and an imitation firearm.
At least 47 children found with weapons were below 10 years old, the age at which someone can be prosecuted.
National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Knife Crime, Chief Constable Alf 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.
“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.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “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.''
A Department for Education spokesman said the Government had increased teachers' powers so they can take action if they suspect a pupil has brought prohibited items into school.
He said: “Teachers can also search without consent and confiscate prohibited items.''