Almost 100 knife-related crimes have been reported in schools and education settings across Worcestershire this decade.
Between April 2020 and March 2026, West Mercia Police recorded 96 offences involving knives or sharp instruments on school premises in the county.
The most common offence was possession of a bladed article on school grounds, with 35 reports.
This was followed by 10 incidents of threatening someone with a blade or sharply pointed object on school premises.
The figures also included offences not directly related to knives, such as one report of harassment and one of sexual assault against a child under 13.
Most suspects were aged between 11 and 15, accounting for 63 suspects.
14 suspects were aged 16 or 17, and six aged 10 or younger.
The data, revealed in a Freedom of Information request made by the Worcester News, has prompted reactions from top education and policing officials.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union (Image: James Manning // PA Wire)
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said: “It is important to remember that most schools are places of safety and that incidents of pupils bringing knives onto school premises are rare.
“However, any weapon-related incident needs to be treated seriously.
“As well as robust behaviour management policies which prioritise protecting the safety of pupils and staff, greater capacity is needed for schools to work with and get support from external agencies to address the reasons why young people are deciding to bring a knife into school.”
John Campion, West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has also reacted to the data.
He said: “In West Mercia, knife crime offences remain low, but one offence is one too many.
John Campion, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (Image: WMPCC)
“Schools should be safe places, free from violence, so the idea that a young person is bringing a knife into any school is deeply concerning.”
To combat knife crime, Mr Campion plans to back West Mercia with additional resources and improve education in schools about the dangers of carrying knives.