ALMOST half of all weapons seizures at West Yorkshire schools last year were in Bradford, shocking new figures have revealed.

There were 23 incidents in Bradford last year where weapons were confiscated from pupils, almost half of the county tally of 48.

The figures have been called "alarming" by teacher Vincent Uzomah, who was stabbed by a teenage boy at Dixons Kings Academy, in Lidget Green, last year.

Items founds on children across West Yorkshire over the last three years include 50 knives, five knuckle dusters, four hammers, two baseball bats, two metal bars, and one CS spray.

Mr Uzomah, injured in a racially-motivated assault which led to an 11-year extended sentence for his teenage attacker, called for more research to establish why people, including children, were carrying weapons.

"Why do such groups keep arms? Is it to protect themselves? What are their intentions in carrying such dangerous weapons," he asked.

"We really need to find the reason for these kids carrying arms. We need to discourage them from carrying arms and be looking to a brighter future. Something has to be done."

Mr Uzomah said an education campaign was needed to make people think twice about carrying weapons.

"In a society like Britain, there is no reason to keep arms, as we have an effective police force," he said.

MORE TOP STORIES

He believes the campaign needed to be wider than just schools.

"We also need to find out who sold the weapons, where they are coming from. When we have such information there should be a campaign, not only in schools, as these figures are a worrying trend and quite alarming," he added.

Mr Uzomah, 51, said he hadn't returned to teaching since the attack because he was still recovering.

"I am still making sure that I am psychologically sound," he said.

According to police there were 23 incidents in Bradford schools last year, compared with just two incidents in both 2014 and 2013.

Since September, schools have been required by the Home Office to report any weapons found to the police.

The figures, released under Freedom of Information legislation showed the ages of those involved ranged from seven-years-old to 17.

Weapons were confiscated at 20 schools in the Bradford district over the three-year period.

EDITOR'S COMMENT: Lessons have to be learned over weapons​

Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College had the highest tally, with four incidents in the last three years.

Several schools had two incidents, including Tong High School, St Bede's Grammar School (now known as St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College) Oakbank School at Keighley, Carlton Bolling College and Bradford Academy.

Councillor Debbie Davies, the Conservative spokesman for children's services at Bradford Council, said the statistics were worrying.

"Speaking as a parent, it's frightening. The thought that children are going in with knives is quite horrific. With a jump (in numbers) like this it's quite worrying. Schools should be safe places."

Cllr Davies backed calls for an education campaign involving parents.

"Parents need to take responsibility and they have to be on board. Schools should not have to search pupils."

Bradford Liberal Democrats leader Jeanette Sunderland said: “It’s a worrying trend but what we need to do is understand it. It could be that following the stabbing last year schools are being more vigilant.

"What I’m concerned about is that we are cutting support for young people and that we need to look long and hard at what we do particularly with those who are not so engaged with school."

Michael Jameson, strategic director of children’s services at Bradford Council, said schools were now required, under Home Office guidance, to inform police if weapons were found.

"We take this issue very seriously and work closely in partnership with the police and schools to make sure there is a zero tolerance approach to pupils taking weapons into schools," he said.

A spokesman for Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College said: "The school has a zero tolerance policy on any item which could be considered a weapon. The school’s first priority is always student safety."

Angela Williams, assistant chief constable at West Yorkshire Police, said officers were working with schools to deal with incidents and give advice and support to teachers and pupils to help prevent young people becoming involved in crime.

"We regularly carry out test purchase operations across the districts in West Yorkshire by undercover teenagers trying to buy knives or bladed instruments to tackle this problem and positive action is taken against any shop selling potentially dangerous weapons to young people.

"The law is clear - it is an offence to sell a knife or certain articles with a blade or point to anyone under the age of 18.

"Earlier this year, West Yorkshire Police held a ten day weapons surrender, where members of the public attended police stations across the county to hand in weapons.

"This was very successful, seeing 150 bladed and offensive weapons and 80 guns surrendered during the period.

"The safe removal of these items from the streets ensures they cannot be used for criminal activity or, worse still, to hurt or kill someone."