An alarming rise in the number of weapons found on pupils in Fife’s schools has sparked renewed calls for action.
Councillor James Calder, Fife Liberal Democrats’ education spokesman, has expressed his concerns over the issue after new figures showed a significant increase in the number of pupils who have been found in possession of a weapon or had them confiscated by staff.
There were just two recovered in 2011/12, but statistics have revealed there were 25 instances in the region’s schools last year.
The news has prompted fears Fife might see a tragedy similar to the fatal stabbing of teenager Bailey Gwynne at Cults Academy in Aberdeen last October.
The 16-year-old died from wounds sustained following an argument with another pupil over a biscuit, although a subsequent inquiry suggested Bailey’s death was “potentially avoidable” if teachers had been told the pupil responsible regularly carried weapons.
“It is incredibly alarming that we have seen such a staggering increase in weapons found on pupils in our schools in Fife,” Mr Calder said.
“We have seen this rise from just two in 2011 to 25 in last year’s session but I am worried this might just be the tip of the iceberg. How many weapons are not caught?
“The council needs to urgently look into this and find out both why this is happening and also to resolve the issue.
“We don’t want to see another tragedy like the killing of Bailey Gwynne but I am deeply concerned that we could see a dangerous injury or even worse if current trends continue.
“It looks as though Fife has gone backwards rather than forwards on this issue. I call on the council administration to make this a priority to ensure the safety of our children.”
Figures obtained by Mr Calder confirmed that there were two weapons found in each of the years 2011/12 and 2012/13, with that number rising to 10 in 2013/14.
The following year there were eight recorded, before subsequent increases to 17 in 2015/16 and 25 in 2016/17.
Councillor Fay Sinclair, convener of Fife’s education and children’s services committee, said: “These figures refer to anything that could have been intended to cause harm and therefore include things like pencils, sticks and forks.
“We now have more detailed ways of recording incidents in schools, and ‘use of a weapon’ is one of the categories used in the system, which would explain the increasing numbers.
“It’s important to note that the education service is already addressing the recommendations from the Bailey Gwynne inquiry and action points in the latest Government guidance.
“We’re establishing a working group to develop policy in this area, which will involve Police Scotland, relevant voluntary organisations and trade unions, as well as council services.”
