REVEALED: Dozens of weapons found and scores of teachers attacked at local schools

A total of 68 weapons were found in schools between 2011 and 2015, a Freedom of Information request to South Yorkshire Police has revealed.

And the shocking figures also reveal the level of violence faced by teachers in South Yorkshire schools – with 160 attacks and racially or aggravated assaults recorded in five years.

Superintendent Colin McFarlane, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “It is unacceptable that any individual, regardless of their age, is carrying a weapon or, worse, using a weapon, to cause harm to another person.”

THE STATS IN FULL:

Kitchen knife – 16

Knife/ dagger – 11

Flick/ lock knife – 11

Pen knife – 10

Stanley knife/ blade – 8

Soft air weapon/ BB gun – 2

Air weapon – 1

CS gas – 1

Knuckle-duster – 1

Metal bar – 1

Razor – 1

Saw – 1

Screwdriver – 1

Dart – 1

DIY tool –1

Other – 1

Teachers punched by pupils – 99

Teachers kicked by pupils – 33

Teachers headbutted – 15