Police Scotland has revealed that 207 incidents of young people having weapons were recorded in the North East between April last year and March this year.
A total of 55 involved schools, with 29 in Aberdeen, 15 in Aberdeenshire and 11 in Moray. The average age of the children in schools was 12, and 93% of them were boys.
Worrying.
Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council have backed an appeal from Superintendent Kate Stephen for parents to assist police in educating children about the dangers involved.
Police Scotland say almost half the incidents reported occurred within the classroom (24), followed by the playground (15) and then corridor (7). Other locations (9) include a canteen, bus, changing rooms and locker.
Officers add that where known, reasons for carrying a weapon included to carve wood or for camping, with a number stating they simply forgot they had the weapon on them. However, more concerning, a small number of young people admitted they were carrying a weapon to threaten another person or for the purposes of self harm.
Of the 55 incidents reported to have taken place in or around a school, 19 were recorded as a crime resulting in the young person being charged. The remainder, following thorough enquiry, were deemed not to be a crime.