November 13, 2025 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Knife Crime
Request Number: FOI/15464
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Knife Crime
Subject: Weapons In Schools
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request Details
Under the Freedom of Information Act, please provide the following information broken down by the school academic years 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.
Clarification Sought
Can you please define the date range meant by academic year as this can differ depending on the institution?
Clarification Received
For the purpose of this FOI please use the time frame from 1 September to 31 August.
Request 1
The number of pupils aged 18 and under recorded as being in possession of an offensive weapon on a school premises (primary and secondary schools only) during the academic years outlined above.
Answer 1
| Academic Year | Number of Offences Recorded |
|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 14 |
| 2023-2024 | 7 |
| 2024-2025 | 8 |
| Total | 29 |
Request 2
Please provide a breakdown of the number of offences which took place in a primary school setting and the number of offences which took place in a secondary school setting
Answer 2
All offences took place in a secondary school setting.
Request 3
A list of the type of weapons involved - i.e – knife, machete, knuckle duster, firearm, hammer etc.
Request 3
Please see below tables recording weapon type:
| Weapon Types 22/23 |
|---|
| Stanley Knife |
| Stick |
| Knife |
| Bullet found |
| Blade |
| Pen knife |
| Weapon Types 23/24 |
|---|
| BB Gun |
| Pen Knife |
| Chopping Knife |
| Blade |
| Knife |
| Hammer |
| Knuckleduster |
| Weapon Types 24/25 |
|---|
| Airsoft Guns and Pellets |
| Knife |
| Stanley Knife |
| Zombie Knife |
Request 4
A breakdown of the ages of pupils involved provided in the following two age categories:
Age 4-11
Age 12-18
Answer 4
| Academic Year | Age 4-11 Years | Age 12-18 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 1 | 13 |
| 2023-2024 | 0 | 7 |
| 2024-2025 | 0 | 8 |
| Total | 1 | 28 |
Request 5
The age of the youngest pupil recorded as being in possession of an offensive weapon on school premises (primary and secondary schools only) for the academic years outlined above (this does not need to be broken down by academic year) and the type of weapon involved.
Answer 5
11 years old.