FOI 388478
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 388478
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 7th February 2025. Please find below the response to your request:
- I would like to know how many reports were made of weapon possession in schools.
- I would also like to know how many reports were made of attacks involving blades or sharp instruments in schools.
For each of these requests I would like a breakdown of the figures by the years 2014,2015,2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Reply
West Mercia Police hold some of the information requested.
- I would like to know how many reports were made of weapon possession in schools.
Caveat:
Under Management of Policing Information Guidance data may be deleted off our systems after 6 years, we therefore cannot confirm the accuracy or information created before this time. Therefore, data has only been provided for information recorded within the last 6 years, specifically from 01/02/2019.
|
Full Primary Offence Title for offences involving possession of a knife on a school premises. |
Calendar Year |
Grand Total |
|||||
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
||
|
Having an article with a blade or point on school/further education premises. |
18 |
16 |
25 |
23 |
19 |
14 |
115 |
|
Possession of other offensive weapon on school/further education premises. |
2 |
6 |
3 |
5 |
9 |
6 |
31 |
|
Threaten with a blade or sharply pointed article on school/further education premises. |
7 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
1 |
9 |
35 |
|
Threaten with an offensive weapon on school/further education premises. |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
10 |
|
Grand Total |
32 |
29 |
38 |
34 |
29 |
29 |
191 |
- I would also like to know how many reports were made of attacks involving blades or sharp instruments in schools.
Caveats:
Under Management of Policing Information Guidance data may be deleted off our systems after 6 years, we therefore cannot confirm the accuracy or information created before this time. Therefore, data has only been provided for information recorded within the last 6 years, specifically from 01/02/2019.
There is no specific offence title for assault with a knife on a school premises. Whilst there is a location premises type field on our crime management system it is not routinely used and cannot be relied upon. Therefore, a keyword search of the location premises name has been completed. There is also no specific offence title for an assault where a knife was used, therefore a combination of keyword searches has been used within the “Violence Against the Person” offence group. Incidents have been discounted where a knife/bladed article was not seen, those which did not take place in person (ie someone showed someone a picture) and those where the knife was not used against the victim.
|
Full Primary Offence Title for offences involving an assault using of a knife/bladed article on a school premises. |
Calendar Year |
Grand Total |
|||||
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
||
|
Assault with Injury - Assault occasioning actual bodily harm |
6 |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
16 |
|
Assault with Injury - Malicious wounding: wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm (Minor wound or equivalent) |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Assault with Injury - Malicious wounding: wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm (Serious wound or equivalent) |
|
1 |
|
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
Assault with Intent to cause Serious Harm - Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm |
1 |
|
|
2 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
|
Assault without Injury - Common assault and battery |
3 |
3 |
5 |
10 |
3 |
|
24 |
|
Attempted - Assault with Intent to cause Serious Harm - Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
2 |
|
Threats to kill |
2 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
4 |
|
Grand Total |
12 |
5 |
8 |
16 |
11 |
4 |
56 |