Teachers warning in fight against knives

Jun 1 2007 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

PERMANENT metal detectors in schools could be the next step in the battle to stop youngsters taking deadly weapons into class, Birmingham teachers predict.

The revelation came as city teachers welcomed new rules giving them the right to frisk pupils for weapons without the youngsters' consent.

Roger King, general secretary of the Birmingham branch of the National Union of Teachers, said the move would see schools in Britain becoming like those in America where pupils have to walk through metal detectors before being allowed in the building. There is evidence to suggest pupils take blades and weapons into schools, which is simply unacceptable," he said.

"If it means metal detectors have to become a permanent feature in our schools then so be it. Unfortunately it's a sad indication of what today's society has become."

He said schools should embrace the new powers, but he feared it could put teachers in danger.

"I welcome the powers but it's a welcome with a caution," added Mr King. "It could see teachers being placed in a potentially dangerous situation if there is a weapon on a student.

"It's common to hear young people say the only reason they carry a weapon is because they are protecting themselves against other young people they fear will have one.

"Hopefully, if pupils think these new powers will deter children from carrying a weapon, they will stop using them altogether."

The news comes after West Midlands Police launched its Tools Up 4 Schools initiative in March, a scheme backed by the Birmingham Mail.

It will see schools being visited by uniformed officers with hi-tech scanners to search for weapons and to teach pupils the dangers of carrying knives and guns.