SCHOOL BUS BOY’S KNIFE THREATS
Mum tells of child’s terror
Parents have spoken of their fears after a primary school child threatened other children with a knife on a school bus.
The terrifying incident happened as a bus load of young children were being taken to Halfmerke Primary last week. One mum was close to tears as she told the News how her six-year-old son was threatened as the youngster brandished a “large kitchen knife”.
She claimed the child threatened to stab her son before murdering the whole school.
When asked if he had a knife in his schoolbag, it is alleged the boy pulled
the blade out and said: “Yes, and I am going to stab you with it first before I murder the rest of the school.”
The News understands the driver of the school contract bus intervened after hearing children screaming and took the weapon from the child.
“My son was hysterical and crying”, said the mum.
“I received a call to pick him up in the afternoon. I didn’t know anything about this, I was only told he had been suffering from headaches all day.
“I only found out from a text from another parent. There was no letter from the school.
“I kept him off the next day as he was so worried about it and wouldn’t sleep in his own bed. He is scared to go back on the bus.
“Unbelievably, school staff allowed the boy back on the bus.”
The mum added: “There were about 25 terrified kids on that bus and, despite carrying a knife and threatening to kill people, this boy was let back on the same day.
“The children are now worried for their safety. I want to know why this child is being put above the emotional wellbeing of these children who were put at risk.
“What message does this put across? There needs to be repercussions. There is no way he should still be allowed on that bus.”
Concerned parents are now demanding answers from South Lanarkshire Council after claiming they received no report of the incident from head teacher Karen Douglas.
One mum said: “I called the school and the head teacher was very dismissive and just said she was dealing with it.
“The fact that parents were not notified by the school or the council and we had to find out about this from our children is ridiculous.
“This was criminal intent and needs to be reported.
“In this day and age knife crime is happening in schools more and more, it needs to be better dealt with to reassure parents.
“You send your kids to school and expect them to be safe.
“I can’t understand what possesses such a young child to come to school with a knife.”
A parent said the incident has now been reported to police and claimed the officer said the school had an obligation to report it.
Des Dickson, South Lanarkshire Council’s head of education, said: “The safety and wellbeing of all children is paramount and the school have taken a proactive approach seeking to reassure parents who have raised concerns.
“The head teacher and school staff are dealing with this matter in a sensitive and professional manner.”