UK Teachers get power to search pupils for knives

LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) Headteachers now have the power to authorise the search of pupils for knives and other offensive weapons without the child's consent, the government announced today.

Teachers will be able to use the new power in tandem with the ability to screen pupils for violent weapons using devices such as x-ray arches and 'wand' metal detectors.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson said: ''Schools now have the law behind them so they can take the necessary action to prevent weapons from coming through the front gate.'' The measures, in the Violent Crime Reduction Act, were introduced after consultation with teacher unions in an attempt to make schools safe and secure places, the government said.

Britain's streets have recently witnessed a spate of fatal stabbings involving young people, and in 1995 headteacher Philip Lawrence was stabbed to death trying to protect a student outside the gates of St George's Roman Catholic School in Maida Vale, west London.

Teachers will be able to carry out the searches themselves, though government guidelines suggest professionally trained security staff are involved. If there is felt to be any risk to safety, the police should be called, it says.

Teachers will have to be of the same sex as the pupil and searches must take place out of public view where possible. Two members of staff, preferably trained, must always be present during the search.

The guidelines also suggest random screening of selected groups, such as classes, ''to send a strong deterrent message'' to pupils.

Any pupil who refuses to be screened can be barred from entering the school.

Johnson said ''I think parents will welcome the clear message that bringing a weapon into school is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated.'' Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said the guidelines will help make schools 'no go areas' for weapons.

''We must stop problems in the wider community passing through the school gate,'' he said.

Teaching unions welcomed the extra powers, particularly the provision of specially trained staff to carry out searches.

''There is a clear role for local authorities and the local police in supporting and advising schools in this process,'' Chris Keates, general-secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said.

David Tuck, national president of the National Association of Head Teachers, said ''The overwhelming majority of children go to school to learn, not to fight.'' Reuters SN DB0900