Revealed: 4,000 crimes reported in our schools in just two years

According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, West Midlands Police were alerted to 3,941 crimes committed in schools across the region in 2013 and 2014, ranging from theft and drugs, to sexual offences and possession of weapons.

The most common crime was theft, with 1,368 cases across the two years, followed by violence against a person, which occurred 921 times.

Over the two-year period, possession of weapons more than doubled, rising from 19 in 2013 to 45 the following year.

Sexual offences increased from 103 to 122 in 2014, and violence against a person also increased with 426 incidents recorded in 2013, and 495 in 2014.

All other crimes decreased over the period, with theft showing the largest drop from 735 to 633.

Arson and criminal damage offences were down from 148 to 130. Drugs offences remained static with 40 recorded offences in both 2013 and 2014.

The figures come after a teenage boy was given a 10-month referral order after pleading guilty to two charges of possessing a knife and one charge of using threatening behaviour in Wolverhampton Youth Court.

The 14-year-old was arrested after he went to school with a five-inch kitchen knife hidden inside his blazer, attacking another lad and shouting 'I am going to shank you in the chest'.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has since been expelled. During sentencing earlier this month (AUG) the court heard how his mother now carried out daily checks to make sure he doesn't carry any weapons.

Despite an increase in crimes involving weapons at schools, knife crimes have been steadily falling in the West Midlands over the past decade, police say.

Detective Inspector Nick Dale 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 10 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."

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.

The force also reminds teachers about their responsibilities and powers to search students who they suspect may be carrying offensive weapons, and the school panels seek students' opinions on various issues.