Risks of students carrying knives or dangerous weapons in school
A MORI Survey for the Youth Justice Board found that 29% of secondary school children, along with 57% of those excluded admitted to routinely carrying knives. Correspondingly, our hospitals report a rise in ‘stab wounds’ particularly among young males. Knives and the reasons for carrying them, is a self-perpetuating, dangerous trend with horrific consequences. Here are some of the reasons given for their use:-
- Fear and/or self-protection/defence.
- To steal, by threats to harm.
- Harass, intimidate or even for ‘kicks’
- Peer pressure
- To command ‘Respect’ and status
- Perceived threats such as the “Killer Clown” scare mongering fad recently.
There has been an increase in students being caught in possession of knives in schools in South Warwickshire in particular. We would strongly encourage that all schools make students aware of the legal aspects:
- It is a criminal offence to have a knife or other weapon on school premises.
- It is illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority, for example, a chef carrying their own knives to and from work.
- It is illegal to threaten anyone with any knife or other object.
There is also legislation that states that a bladed or pointed article legally cannot be taken onto school premises.
Despite the fact that one of the reasons given for carrying a knife is for protection, research has shown that someone carrying a knife is actually more likely to become a victim of crime. The medical implications associated with blade injuries are of course very serious.
The new offence of threatening a person in public or on school premises will result in a youth aged 16 or over going straight to charge, as this offence carries a minimum sentence of a four months Detention and Training Order.
We are highlighting this to schools so that you can increase awareness amongst staff and pupils of the risks and wider implications of carrying or using knives in school and in the wider community.
The following resources may be useful to help schools to raise and tackle this issue with students:
http://educateagainsthate.com/
Statutory guidance on the use of force, which includes guidance on rights of school staff to search and confiscate:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/use-of-reasonable-force-in-schools