Cardiff rolls out school weapon-search guidance with handheld scanners

Cardiff council has issued new guidance for searching pupils suspected of carrying weapons in schools, outlining the use of handheld scanners as part of a broader safety framework. The guidelines, described as the first of their kind in Wales, cover what happens when a child is thought to be carrying a weapon and what happens next if one is found.

The guidance was rolled out to all primary, secondary and special schools after consultation with children and in partnership with South Wales Police, youth services and violence-prevention experts. The council says the measures are designed to keep students and staff safe, not to create fear, and to give schools practical tools for responding to concerns about knife crime.

Under the guidance, school staff may search a pupil if they have a "reasonable" suspicion that the student is carrying a weapon. Two staff members must be present during a search, and in most cases a "search wand" would be used to minimize physical contact. Parents or carers will be informed following a search, and the reasons for the search will be explained to the student as well. The tool is described as a measure that would be used only when circumstances demand it and not as a routine daily practice.

If a weapon is found, an incident review meeting must be arranged within five school days, with at least one daily welfare check in the interim. The pupil should not be allowed to attend school until the meeting has taken place, after which a trauma-informed investigation would assess why the weapon was brought to school and determine appropriate next steps. The guidelines recognize that there are often complex reasons why a young person might carry a weapon and urge schools to work with families and other services to provide support.

In addition to weapon-search guidance, each Cardiff school has appointed a violence-prevention lead—senior staff who will undergo specialist training to prepare for real-life situations involving weapons or threats to safety. Other safety measures include lockdown rehearsals and using the curriculum to foster a culture of respect and safety.

Council deputy leader and education cabinet member Sarah Merry said head teachers had asked for revised guidance, and the policy reflects a collaborative approach designed to bolster safety while supporting pupils and families. "Head teachers have been asking for revised support in this area and it's absolutely right that we've worked closely with them to create something practical and useful. It is also part of our review following incidents in other parts of the country and gives schools the tools they need to keep everyone safe - it's not about creating fear; it's about building confidence."

The approach builds on Welsh government powers introduced in 2013 that allow Welsh schools to screen pupils for weapons and to search pupils suspected of carrying one.