A BBC investigation found more than 1,300 knife-related offences in schools and sixth-form colleges across England and Wales in 2024, including cases involving children as young as four.
Freedom of Information (FOI) data from police forces reveals cases involving children as young as four, and a total of 1,304 knife or sharp-object offences in schools and sixth-form colleges in 2024.
Around 10% of incidents were linked to primary pupils and 80% to boys, mostly teenagers.
Some schools, particularly in high-crime areas such as the West Midlands, are introducing metal-detecting “knife arches” after serious cases, including the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose in Sheffield. His mother is urging the government to fund such measures nationwide. While overall knife incidents have slightly declined, serious violent offences have risen.
The government says it aims to halve knife crime and is backing stricter rules on knife sales, while education leaders call for more community policing and youth support to tackle root causes.
Extent of the Problem
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Police Data: 41 out of 43 police forces provided information.
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Total incidents: 1,304 knife-related offences recorded in 2024, slightly down from the previous year.
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Age distribution: About 10% involved primary school children, and around 80% of offenders were boys, mostly teenagers.
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Examples:
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A four-year-old in Kent involved in an assault with a knife.
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A six-year-old in the West Midlands found with a flick knife, saying he intended to harm another pupil.
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Other young children (aged five to six) were caught with large kitchen knives or a meat cleaver.
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Reactions and Responses
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Government:
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Reaffirmed its mission to halve knife crime.
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Stated that schools already have powers to install security measures like metal detectors (“knife arches”).
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Cited the Young Futures programme and Ronan’s Law (introduced in August) to regulate online knife sales.
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Educational Responses:
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Some schools, particularly in high-crime areas like the West Midlands, have begun installing permanent knife arches.
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Beacon Hill Academy in Dudley recently installed one, and other schools in the same trust plan to follow suit.
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Pupils expressed mixed feelings—both fear and reassurance—about the new security measures.
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Security Industry:
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Sales of knife arches and handheld detection wands to schools have tripled between March 2024 and March 2025, according to Interconnective Security Products.
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Broader Context and Commentary
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Association of School and College Leaders:
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Described knife incidents as relatively rare but concerning.
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Called for more societal action and investment in community policing and youth outreach, noting over a decade of funding cuts.
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Trends:
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While the overall number of knife incidents in schools has slightly decreased, the number of serious violent offences (such as assaults) has risen.
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The types of weapons seized include machetes, flick knives, butterfly knives, pen knives, and swords.
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Source: Children as young as four taking knives into school, BBC finds – BBC News
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