A Perth school has found itself at the heart of a police investigation into stabbing threats amid days of chaos.
Officers were called to Perth High School after a student made serious threats to a fellow pupil following a playground fight.
A search revealed a potential weapon, with officers confiscating a bottle-opener containing a sharply pointed corkscrew.
Police Scotland said officers had attended at Perth High on Wednesday after “an incident involving a pupil with a bottle opener with a corkscrew”.
“Prompt action was taken by staff and no one was injured,” a spokeswoman said.
Inquiries into that incident are ongoing and come during turmoil caused by a string of school evacuations.
The secondary school has had to post prefects as guards after pupils repeatedly forced the abandonment of classes by setting off fire alarms.
Pupils and staff were forced to muster outside four times within a matter of hours last Friday and once more on Monday after alarms were maliciously activated.
Hours of lessons were lost and local councillors fear the “disappointing”
incidents risk severe “reputational damage” to Perth High.
School authorities said a thorough investigation into the fire alarm
activations had taken place and “appropriate” action had been taken.
Scottish Fire and Rescue (SFRS) said such malicious hoax calls were “reckless and dangerous” and diverted resources from genuine emergencies.
Crews were first alerted last Friday to reports of a fire at Muirend Avenue, where they extinguished a burning hedge.
SFRS group manager Ewan Baird said: “While attending this incident, a call point was set off at Perth High due to smoke being seen in the area.
“Crews were then called a further three times to the school due to the
malicious activation of call points.
“Local officers are engaging directly with the school to raise awareness about the dangers of hoax calls.
“Malicious calls are not only reckless and dangerous, but can divert SFRS resources away from genuine
emergencies where people require our help.”
School must act after ‘disturbing behaviour’
School authorities have been urged to consider fresh action to stamp out the “disturbing” behaviour blighting Perth High.
Head teacher Thirza Pupillo was moved to write to parents calling for cooperation following a fire and reports of vandalism, stone-throwing and fights.
In the wake of the latest incidents, Perth City South SNP councillor Sheila McCole said: “I have contacted the head teacher to explore how the council can support the school to address any underlying issues and minimise the risk of recurrence in the future.”
“It is disappointing that those responsible showed such little regard for pupils and staff alike, causing considerable and deliberate disruption to the school day.
“They also showed complete disregard for the impact their actions will have had on the resources of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“The vast majority of the school’s students are responsible young people who will be dismayed by these events and the reputational damage to the school, its staff and pupils.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Willie Wilson added: “I had a meeting with the head teacher last term when I was assured an action plan would be put in place to help
prevent such incidents.
“I think it may be appropriate to review the plan and see how it can be reinforced.”
The council said: “Three of the fire alarms are being treated as deliberate and have been investigated. Appropriate action has been taken.
“We can confirm that a bottle opener with corkscrew was also confiscated on Wednesday at Perth High. The school has followed proper procedures in dealing with this matter.”
The school’s head teacher said senior pupils deserved credit for getting the school back to normal after the fire alarms.
“School assemblies are being used to reinforce messages about the consequences of inappropriate conduct and the school continues to work closely with Scottish Fire and Rescue,” she added.
Perth and Kinross Council twice declined a Courier request for an interview with the head teacher.