Summary
A BBC investigation has found incidents of very young children bringing knives into primary schools in England and Wales. Police reports show children as young as four and six involved in knife-related incidents at schools. The investigation has led to calls for the installation of metal detectors in schools to improve safety.
Key Facts
- A BBC investigation revealed that very young children in England and Wales have taken knives to school.
- Police in Kent recorded an incident involving a four-year-old with a knife, and in the West Midlands, a six-year-old brought a flick knife.
- In 2024, there were 1,304 knife-related offences reported in schools and sixth form colleges across England and Wales.
- About 10% of these offences involved primary school children.
- Most knife offences were by boys, with almost 80% of incidents involving male students, primarily teenagers.
- In some areas, schools are installing permanent metal detectors due to high knife crime rates.
- Measures to reduce knife crime are seen as necessary, with calls for government funding for metal detectors in schools.
