'Safety is our priority': How Leeds schools are tackling knife crime as arrest figures released
‘Talk to a trusted adult - we have got your back’
A 14-year-old child has been arrested for possessing a bladed weapon at a school ground in Leeds, shocking new figures reveal.
The data, obtained by the Yorkshire Evening Post through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, has revealed that since 2023, five males and one female aged 21 or under have been arrested by Leeds District Police for possession of a bladed weapon on school or further education premises.
The youngest person arrested was aged 14, in 2025.
Schools across the city have spoken out about their vital work to educate pupils on the dangers of carrying a knife - helping with prevention and intervention.
“The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is always our priority,” a spokesperson for the Red Kite Learning Trust, which operates 16 schools across North and West Yorkshire, told the YEP.
“Through our curriculum, pastoral support and safeguarding arrangements, our schools help young people develop the knowledge, understanding and confidence to make safe and positive choices.
“We recognise the importance of partnership working across schools, families and communities to help keep young people safe and support initiatives that raise awareness of issues affecting children and young people.”
Knife crime across West Yorkshire has dropped 11.3 per cent over the past year, and since September 2025, there has been a “significant increase” in the number of police-supported ‘Pol-Ed’ lessons in schools across the region.
Developed by educational professionals, Pol-Ed aims to reduce knife crime by helping support schools to address key Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) themes, including online safety, respectful relationships, consent, safeguarding, and understanding the role of the police.
The programme is expanding its curriculum and partnerships across the country, being used by schools in 13 police forces nationally, ensuring that all children benefit from early, positive, and preventative education. It will run in unison with the ‘Keep the Door Open’ campaign - which launched last week.
Led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and its Violence Reduction Partnership, the campaign focuses on the long-term consequences of carrying a knife and delivers an empowering message to young people that their future is literally in their hands.
Ahead of the launch, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire Alison Lowe spoke to YEP and urged concerned youngsters to talk to a trusted adult, rather than trying to take action themselves.
“Young people can sometimes feel as if the weight of the world is on their shoulders, as if they don't have anyone to turn to and if you're in that situation then you are more likely to make the wrong choice,” Deputy Mayor Lowe said.
“As adults we understand that things work out and that there is always a choice that you can make - you can choose to make a bad choice or a positive one, but when you're a young person you can't always see those options.
“When you talk to someone who has lived life a little bit longer, who has seen some of those options play out, they have got more options for you and they will be able to protect you because you're never on your own. Talk to a trusted adult - we have got your back.”
Shocking new statistics released to the YEP this week revealed that children as young as 12 were arrested for possession of a knife, blade or sharply pointed article by Leeds District Police in 2023, 2024 and 2025, while the youngest person arrested so far in 2026 was just 13.
The data further revealed that, between January 2023 and the start of April 2026, 335 young men, aged 13-21, were arrested for possession of an article with a blade or point in Leeds, while 24 young women were arrested during the same time period.
Speaking last year, the GORSE Academies Trust, who are responsible for 15 primary and secondary schools across Leeds, said that “all possible solutions” would be considered to tackle knife crime, including, if necessary, walkthrough metal detectors known as knife arches.
The installation of knife arches at schools across the country is among a number of options being considered as part of a national campaign, led by Caroline and Mark Willgoose, whose 15-year-old son, Harvey, died after being stabbed in the chest at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield, last year.
“Knife crime is a dreadful blight and it is right that all possible solutions to eradicate it are considered,” the GORSE Academies Trust spokesperson said. “We believe a three-pronged response is required. Prevention and intervention are two vital elements, but it must start with education.
“We hold sessions with all our students so they are fully educated as to the risks and dangers of knife crime. We are proud of the excellent behaviour in our schools, but are not complacent.
“We would be delighted to be part of multi-agency discussions so that we can share our experience and expertise as solutions are sought to this critically important subject.”
In 2024, Leeds City Council partnered with the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) to use Round Midnight's virtual reality program, “Virtual_Decisions,” to educate young people about knife crime. The VR experience immerses users in realistic scenarios to show the consequences of knife crime.
The council has also launched the ‘Project Shield’ initiative where agencies, including West Yorkshire Police and Children’s Social Work Service, shares information focused on identifying and protecting those most vulnerable from serious youth violence.
Leeds has been rocked by some high profile deaths among young people in recent years, including the murder of 15-year-old Alfie Lewis outside a school in Horsforth in November 2023 and the death of 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield, who was killed by a stab wound to the chest in March this year.