Two teenagers have been charged after being caught with knives at a Highland secondary school.
Police were called to Inverness High School on Tuesday after the pupils were found to be carrying “offensive weapons”.
The two youths have since been reported to the children’s panel in connection with the incident.
No-one was injured and the Press and Journal understands that there are no claims that the pupils were brandishing the knives or threatening to use them.
However, they have been charged in connection with being in possession of the weapons.
The school’s head teacher James Rutter wrote to all parents last night informing them of the incident, and reassuring them that pupil safety is a priority.
It is understood that a police officer will visit the school in the coming days to speak to youngsters in the wake of the charges.
The incident emerged as school staff across the country remained on high alert following the tragic death of Aberdeen schoolboy Bailey Gwynne in October.
His killer – a fellow Cults Academy pupil – was locked up for nine years for stabbing him earlier this month.
Last month, a primary school in Caithness issued advice to parents after a pupil brought a penknife to school to show classmates.
Yesterday, a police spokeswoman said: “Two pupils have been reported to the children’s panel following an incident at the school yesterday.
“No-one was injured. The police are liaising with staff at the school.”
Highland Council would not comment on the incident yesterday, referring the P&J’s inquiries to the police.
Councillor Graham MacKenzie, an education committee member and former rector of Dingwall Academy, said: “In my experience, it would not be something that is prevalent in our schools.
“Every secondary school has got policies in place which would allow them to take appropriate action.”
Asked if the death of Bailey Gwynne was likely to have made school staff extra vigilant, Mr MacKenzie said: “I think any such incident in schools makes people think about what is going on in
their own establishment and I’m sure people are very much aware of what happened.”
Inverness Central councillor Donnie Kerr said: “I would just urge young people not to get into the habit of carrying knives.
“This has never been a problem in the Highlands. At least there were no injuries.”
Barry Kane, secretary of Dalneigh Community Council, said: “I had not heard of the incident in the high school. I’m not aware of that kind of thing being an issue in Dalneigh. I don’t remember it being raised with the community council.”
There have been a series of recent incidents in north and north-east schools in the months since Bailey Gwynne’s death.
Last week, a teenager understood to be a pupil at Milne’s High in Fochabers was charged amid claims that threats were made to carry out a bombing and shooting attack at the school.
And last month a pupil was excluded from the same secondary after taking a knife into the building.
In Turriff, meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy is awaiting sentence after admitting assaulting a schoolboy and carrying a weapon.
Aberdeen City Council’s education vice-convener said the incidents had led to heightened anxiety in schools.
