Police called to six knife incidents at schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray in last month
Police have been called to six knife incidents at secondary schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray in the last month.
Police have been called to six knife incidents at secondary schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray in the last month.
No-one was injured in the incidents but seven pupils have been reported to prosecutors over the incidents at schools in Turriff, Alford, Inverurie, Elgin, Buckie and Keith.
Officers and education leaders have now written to all parents in the council areas to reassure them over safety measures.
It comes after 16-year-old pupil Bailey Gwynne was fatally stabbed at an Aberdeen school in October.
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested and has appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court charged with murder.
He was also charged with having a blade or point on school premises and remanded in custody.
Police said anyone caught with a knife in school will be "robustly dealt with''.
Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson, divisional commander for Aberdeenshire and Moray, said: "I can confirm we have very recently been called to six incidents within secondary schools in Turriff, Alford, Inverurie, Elgin, Buckie and Keith where knives have been recovered and seven secondary-school pupils have been reported.
"Thankfully no-one has been injured and all incidents were brought to our attention by school staff.
"We have very positive relationships with all schools in our area and will continue to work with them and our partners to ensure we promote a safe learning environment and raise awareness of the dangers of such behaviour.
"Let me make it absolutely clear that carrying a knife or any other potential weapon into a school is against the law and anyone caught doing this will be robustly dealt with. The safety and well-being of all of our young people and staff is absolutely paramount.''
Education leaders said such incidents were rare but want to reassure parents.
Aberdeenshire Council's director of education Maria Walker said: "It is in all of our interests to keep people safe from harm and education authorities will continue to review current practices and procedures to ensure our combined actions help to reduce incidents.
"Extensive work has taken place across the area to roll out anti-bullying measures and we also work closely with Police Scotland on campaigns to tackle anti-social behaviour and mitigate offensive actions.
"These incidents are rare and please be assured that when they do occur, action is taken to deal with them swiftly and appropriately.''
Laurence Findlay, Moray Council's corporate director of education, said: "In Moray we have been pro-active in developing anti-bullying actions, working with organisations such as Respect Me, and we continue to work on measures to prevent, identify and deal with bullying behaviour in schools.
"We must work together to keep young people and staff safe from harm.''