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Sharp rise in illegal weapons in West Midlands schools

Crimes involving weapons in or near schools more than doubled last year, despite knife crime steadily falling in the West Midlands over the past decade.

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The figures have been released by West Midlands Police under the Freedom of Information Act, and show the number of crimes involving illegal weapons at schools more than doubled last year, up to 37 compared to 17 in 2013.

In 2010 West Midlands Police recorded 30 such incidents, with 24 in 2011 and 28 in 2012.

The figures come after recent appearances by at least two youths at Wolverhampton Youth Court, charged with having blades at school.

In the first case, a 12-year-old was caught with a flick knife at school in March and charged with possession.

The most recent case saw a 14-year-old boy plead not guilty to being in possession of a five inch kitchen knife at his Wolverhampton school in June, and not guilty to using threatening words and behaviour toward another teenager. He is due to go to trial next month (AUG).

Detective Inspector Nick Dale, force lead for knife crime, said: "Knife crime shatters lives and there is never any justification for carrying a weapon – either in a school or any other place.

"In the last ten years, we have invested heavily in campaigns and operations to reduce knife crime, with levels steadily falling to less than half of what they were.

"As part of our 'Knives end Lives' campaign, we have ploughed significant resources into educating youngsters about the dangers of and consequences of carrying a knife."

Regarding the figures the force also stressed that the incidents or crimes recorded may not necessarily have occurred on the school premises - but that the school may have been the nearest identifiable landmark so was entered in the incident report.

More than 50,000 students in Year 5 and 6 have seen the force's hard-hitting presentation that 'de-glamourises' gang culture, he said, which is part of the education packages delivered to schools in the West Midlands.

He added: "We also remind teachers about their responsibilities and powers to search students who they suspect may be carrying offensive weapons.

"Our school panels seek students' opinions on various issues and if knife-crime is raised as a concern, we can respond with police inputs at school or enforcement tactics like knife arches.

"It is important to stress the responsibility for tackling knife crime sits with all of us ? police officers, parents, teachers, licensees, friends – and it is vital we all work together to change behaviours and continue to stop young people carrying knives."

A spokesman for Wolverhampton City Council said: "Governors are responsible for the conduct of their school and we would expect governing bodies to have appropriate policies in place around behaviour and discipline.

"These policies should set clear expectations around conduct and action to be taken with regard to weapons. National guidance is clear that there is a power to search without consent for prohibited items including knives and weapons, which must always be handed over to the police."

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