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Weapons in schools raise urgent issues
by Stuart Greer2/ 7/2008
TALKS will take place over safety in schools after police collected a deadly horde of replica guns and knives during a crackdown.
Officers visited the borough’s secondary schools on Friday as part of ‘Operation Hydrofoil’ and took away weapons that had been confiscated by teachers or found in and around their grounds.
These included four BB guns and a cap gun, three knives, a multi-tool knife and a cosh.
The Oldham branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned that pupils could be killed in the classroom unless immediate action is taken.
Representatives of the union will discuss the issue with Cllr Kay Knox, the council member for children, young people and families, at a meeting this week.
Tony Harrison, Oldham NUT secretary, said: "The union has intervened in the past where pupils have taken weapons into school and we have made sure appropriate action is taken.
"It’s scary but I am not surprised at all with this latest horde. There is a national trend for carrying weapons around and it is a national issue – not just particular to schools – that has to be addressed. Weapons cannot be allowed in our classrooms. The pupils that bring weapons to school say they do it for their protection, but they put themselves at greater risk."
Mr Harrison said the only way of solving the issue was to educate young people about the dangers of carrying weapons and to ensure nothing gets into schools.
"Using metal detectors may be a possibility, but we don’t want to turn our schools into prisons or forts," he added.
Janet Donaldson, of the council, said: "Oldham’s schools have an excellent record in ensuring young people are aware of the dangers of carrying weapons and will always take steps to remove property from students where it is felt inappropriate. "
Oldham’s top police officer, Chief Supt Caroline Ball, said: "We cannot ignore the fact that guns and knives are an issue across the country, but it is important to remember that it is a small minority of pupils who get involved in this type of crime."
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BUT NO ....... ALL WE GET IS ...."LETS TALK ABOUT IT" !!!!
THE GENERAL PUBLIC WANT AND DEMAND THAT ACTION IS TAKEN TO RID OUR STREETS OF THE VERMIN THAT CARRY SUCH WEAPONS !!!! ...... SO LETS SEE IT HAPPEN !!!!!
7/07/2008 at 01:30