Prevention, partnership and the voice of young people
On Tuesday 19 May 2026, the Wales Safer Communities Network hosted a seminar on knives in schools, bringing together partners from policing, local government, education and the third sector to explore how Wales can respond to this complex and sensitive issue through a prevention-led approach.
The session, facilitated by Dan Jones of the Violence Prevention and Reduction Unit, emphasised the importance of partnership working and grounding discussions in both evidence and lived experience.
Understanding the context in Wales
Opening the seminar, Dan Jones provided important context, highlighting that while serious incidents involving knives in Wales remain relatively rare, their impact can be profound and far-reaching. Even isolated incidents can have lasting consequences for victims, families, schools and communities, and the fear of knife crime can itself cause significant anxiety among young people.
The seminar reaffirmed the national direction of travel, with an increased focus on early intervention, prevention and diverting young people away from the criminal justice system wherever possible.
Learning from critical incidents and policing insights
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Ross Evans, Dyfed Powys Police, shared reflections from recent incidents in Wales, including the significant impact of school-based violence on entire communities.
He highlighted that schools must remain safe, trusted environments, but acknowledged that incidents, including threats and hoaxes, are becoming more frequent and complex. Emerging trends such as online threats (‘feeding’ and ‘doxing’) are creating disruption and requiring coordinated responses from police and partners.
Key learning points included the need for:
- Stronger information sharing between agencies
- Greater use of trauma-informed approaches
- Improved access to support services, including early help and mental health provision
- Continued professional curiosity and proactive risk management
These reflections reinforced the importance of preparedness alongside prevention.
The importance of youth voice and lived experience
Stephanie McArdle and Emily Powell from Media Academy Cymru presented insights from their work with young people across South Wales, including the Braver Choices and Youth Voice programmes.
Their findings highlighted that knife carrying is often driven by fear rather than intent to harm. Many young people reported carrying weapons for protection, influenced by peer pressure, social media, and a belief that others are doing the same.
Recurring themes included:
- A “safety paradox”, where fear leads to increased carrying
- Pressure linked to reputation and image
- The influence of social environments and exploitation
- A lack of trusted opportunities to talk and seek support
Young people also emphasised that interventions are most effective when they are relatable, grounded in real-life experiences, and delivered by trusted adults.
Importantly, speakers stressed that knife carrying is often a symptom of wider issues such as bullying, trauma or vulnerability, and that addressing these underlying causes is critical to prevention.
Developing a consistent approach through WISES guidance
Clare Yeoman from Cardiff Council introduced the Weapons in Schools and Educational Settings (WISES) Guidance, developed in response to concerns from headteachers about the lack of consistent procedures.
The guidance sets out a clear, safeguarding-focused approach to responding to incidents involving weapons, including:
- When and how to conduct searches safely
- How to respond if a weapon is suspected or found
- Procedures for recording incidents and supporting staff
- The use of incident review meetings to develop tailored safety plans
A key principle is maintaining support for young people, even where serious incidents occur, ensuring they are not excluded without a plan for continued education and safeguarding.
The guidance has been co-produced with schools, young people and partners, and is now being rolled out more widely across Wales, supported by Welsh Government.
Working together across Wales
Throughout the session, speakers and participants emphasised that knife-related harm in schools cannot be addressed by education alone. It requires coordinated action across policing, health, youth services, local authorities and communities.
There was strong support for developing an all-Wales approach that enables partners to share learning, identify emerging trends, and build consistent, evidence-based responses.
The seminar concluded by encouraging continued collaboration and dialogue, recognising that while the risks remain, there is significant expertise and commitment across Wales to build safer school communities.
Watch the full recording from the seminar here.
