Swords, knives and axes confiscated from pupils

Samurai swords and axes are among thousands of weapons that have been seized from school pupils across England and Wales.

Some of the children involved were as young as five, according to police figures released to the Press Association.

Analysis of data from 32 police forces showed 2,579 weapons were found between the 2015/16 financial year and this year. In the year 2016/17 alone, there were at least 1,369 weapons found.

As some forces did not provide full data, the real number of weapons confiscated in schools is likely to be much higher.

Other weapons included at least 26 guns - including BB guns, air rifles and an imitation firearm, while more unusual contraband included a rolling pin and a police baton.

At least 47 of the children involved were under 10 - too young to be prosecuted. Among them were three five-year-olds, one of whom was caught with a knife.

In a small number of cases, the 'weapon' involved may have been a body part - such as a fist - or verbal abuse, depending on how forces recorded their information.

In 47 of the cases, the person involved was a teacher or a similar occupation such as a tutor.

National Police Chiefs' Council lead for knife crime, Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock, said the figures were worrying.

He added: "We are responding to this trend by targeting those who carry them illegally and working with retailers to reduce the sale of knives to underage people through nationally coordinated operations.

"Schools should be free of weapons and all children should be able to learn without fear or violence.

"Carrying a weapon of any kind in schools is not an issue for a school to deal with alone; police and partners will always be willing to work with them and take appropriate action."

In 2014, teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds by one of her pupils Will Cornick, 15.

A year later, teacher Vincent Uzomah was seriously injured after being stabbed by a racist pupil at Dixon Kings Academy in Bradford.

A Department for Education spokesman said the Government had increased teachers' powers so they can take action if they think a pupil has a weapon at school.

He said: "Teachers can also search without consent and confiscate prohibited items."