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09
Apr
Figures reveal number of knife crime incidents in North Yorkshire schools
More than 10 incidents of children carrying knifes in North Yorkshire’s schools were reported to police last year, it can be revealed.
According to a freedom of information response from North Yorkshire Police, the youngest offender was aged 12.
The figures, which cover the academic year 2023/2024, show offences which are categorised as 'possession of article with blade or point’ on school premises.
Within that time period, one offence was recorded in the Harrogate area.
The most were recorded in Hambelton and Richmondshire command area and Scarborough and Ryedale command area where three crimes were reported in each.
The age of the offenders carrying knives. Data: NYP.
Three crims were committed by 13-year-olds and 14-year-olds were reported on three occasions.
Meanwhile, two crimes for carrying a bladed article were committed by 15-year-olds and one by a 16-year-old.
The move comes as James Farrar, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, told the Stray Ferret previously that the authority had drawn up a serious violence strategy which aims to tackle offences like knife crime.
He added that knife amnesty bins had also been rolled out across the county, including in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.
A knife bin in Ripon.
North Yorkshire's first knife bin was installed in the car-park on Dragon Road, near Asda, in January 2023, and in the two years since, more than 1,800 bladed items have been left in it.
Mr Farrar said:
Across York and North Yorkshire over the last year there were around 300 incidents involving knives.
Knife crime is a national problem and although our region has relatively low levels of this type of crime, the risk to our communities from knives is extremely serious.
Our new serious violence strategy for York and North Yorkshire sets out plans to tackle violent crime across York and North Yorkshire and ensure victims receive better protection.
These plans include the delivery of prevention and early intervention projects.
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