Bullied children 'carry weapons'

Children younger than 11 are carrying lethal weapons

Children are carrying knives and other weapons in an effort to fend off bullies, police have said.

Merseyside Police recovered a haul of 43 weapons - including lock knives, pen knives, a flick knife and a machete - in the Croxteth area of Liverpool.

Detectives said 13 of the weapons belonged to children aged 11 or under.

The knives were voluntarily handed in after police officers visited schools to give talks on the dangers of carrying weapons.

Superintendent Rowley Moore said: "During the school talks children confided in the officer and admitted that in some instances they had carried weapons, mostly as a result of bullying.

"Many of those who confided in him said they carried the knives for their own protection, but hadn't thought about the consequences of carrying a weapon.

'Feel safe'

"As a result of the talks the children realised that carrying a weapon may actually result in its use.

"The main reason they were carrying a weapon was to make them feel safe. Some children also said they had carried weapons and wanted to hand them in."

Police also recovered 12 ball-bearing guns, a sharpened knuckle-duster, a screwdriver and a hammer.

Supt Moore said the issue of young people carrying weapons was not unique to Liverpool and was not increasing but the force was taking positive steps to tackle it.

He said: "It is recognised that there is a national issue concerning young people carrying weapons. Merseyside Police has been extremely proactive in tackling the issues surrounding the problem.

Danger of fatality

"This work revolves around educational talks, targeted at 10 and 11-year-old children, about weapons and the consequences of carrying them.

"There is no data to support the notion of an increase in school-aged children carrying weapons.

"Education of young people is critical to ensure that they fully understand and appreciate that the use of weapons can result in injury or fatality."