Weapons including knives, baseball bats and knuckledusters were seized from West Yorkshire schools almost 70 times in the last three years.
Figures revealed by the Examiner this morning show there were six weapons seized in 2013, 15 and 2014 and a total of 48 confiscations by West Yorkshire Police last year. The rise could be due to new rules which from September required schools to tell police about weapons found.
The youngest pupil caught carrying a weapon was seven. There were also pupils aged nine and 10 and all ages up to 17.
Use the map above to explore the incidents across West Yorkshire released by police under Freedom of Investigation legislation, detailing the schools and colleges involved and when the weapons were seized.
Police also revealed details of the weapons confiscated between 2013-2015, with knives most commonly found in schools.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said officers were working with schools to tackle incidents and help prevent pupils becoming involved in crime.
Which weapons were found?
West Yorkshire Police
The spokesman said ‘test purchase’ operations were carried out regularly by undercover teenagers trying to buy knives.
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Earlier this year the Force held a weapons surrender where 150 bladed and offensive weapons and 80 guns were handed in.
Click below to see the shocking video of weapons handed into the West Yorkshire Police amnesty in January
