Pupils found with weapons in two-thirds of searches at city's schools

Weapons were found in nearly two-thirds of searches at Cardiff schools over a six-month period, new data has revealed.

The figures have been described by the NASUWT teachers' union as "frightening".

A Freedom of Information (FoI) request shared with BBC-produced Newyddion S4C showed that 12 out of 19 of searches carried out between September 2025 and March 2026 found weapons on pupils.

Cardiff council said that ensuring safety for staff and pupils on educational sites was "a priority".

Millie-Mae Adams, a medical student who volunteers with the StreetDoctors charity, said young people carrying weapons was an "emergency" and "a big problem".

Reacting to the figures in Cardiff schools, she said: "The number will surprise people generally, but by talking to young people, it doesn't surprise me.

"I know young people have this idea that they're protecting themselves by carrying it [a weapon] but that isn't true."

Adams, who was raised in Caerau, Cardiff, said violence and the threat of violence was one of the reasons she decided to train as a doctor.

She hopes her work with StreetDoctors can help persuade young people not to carry weapons.

"I think that number would be much higher if you looked at all schools in Wales - on the streets people are carrying weapons and knives," she said.

Cardiff Council introduced new guidance for weapons in schools and educational sites in September last year.

Hand-held scanners were introduced to every school in the county, which allow staff to search pupils they suspect of carrying a weapon.

"If there is reasonable suspicion that a young person may be carrying a weapon, schools have the legal power to carry out a search, which is done discreetly, proportionately and with clear explanations provided to the young person and parents or carers are informed following any search," said a spokesperson.

The Freedom of Information request revealed that 19 searches for weapons took place in schools in the Cardiff county between September 2025 and March 2026. No weapon was found in seven of those searches.

Sion Amlyn, policy and case officer of the teachers' union NASUWT, said: "If one weapon was found, it would be one too many, so the fact that this appears to be increasing is frightening...[and the] fact that there are multiple cases is concerning.

"No weapons should be in our schools, they should be safe spaces for our children and our staff and the figures suggest they might not be."

The council said that no-one was permanently expelled in relation to the 19 searches and 12 weapons found in schools.

It said it had no comparable figures for previous years.

The spokesperson added: "Where a weapon is found, a multi-agency incident review meeting is arranged to understand the circumstances and agree appropriate support.

"The young person does not return to the education setting until this meeting has taken place, which happens within five school days, with daily welfare checks maintained in the meantime.

"Parents and carers are involved, and a trauma informed approach is used to identify the right support and help the young person remain in education wherever possible.

"This consistent approach reflects Cardiff's commitment to prevention, early intervention and keeping schools safe while supporting young people to make positive changes."