A London school has launched an investigation after a video of two of its students wielding knives and saying “we’re ready” was posted online.
In the 12 second clip, the teenage boys can be seen showing the blades to the camera and goading another party, thought to be the intended recipient of the video, to meet them.
Bow school, a secondary school and sixth form in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, confirmed to HuffPost UK that two of its pupils featured in the clip demonstrated “unacceptable behaviour” and an internal inquiry is underway.
Leah Miller, assistant headteacher at the school, told HuffPost UK: “We are aware of who they are and are responding robustly.
“We have a clear Behaviour Policy to ensure the security of everyone in our community, and maintaining these high standards is our top priority.”
Miller said the school would “take appropriate action once this has been completed”.
It is believed that the video was shot before the school day began.
The incident comes months after a report revealed that children may be face an increased risk of being stabbed while on their way home from school.
A report by doctors at The Royal London Hospital – Europe’s leading major trauma centre – and Queen Mary University of London, published by the BMJ Open journal, reveals the frequency of knife-related incidents involving youngsters spikes between the hours of 4pm and 6pm on weekdays.
In November, a south London teenager told HuffPost UK that he sometimes takes an alternative route home after school to avoid potentially running into trouble. “There’s either the long way, where there’s more light out and there’s more houses so there’s more people who can see what’s happening.
“Or there’s a short way, I would probably go more or less in the daytime rather than in the night time.”
NHS data also shows in the last five years the number of children aged 16 and under being treated for assault by a knife or other sharp objects rose by 93%, from 180 admissions in 2012-13 to 347 in 2017-18.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of a video that is circulating online and enquiries are ongoing.
“Police were called at 09:48hrs on Tuesday, 11 June regarding a a video of a fight that was circulating online.
“Officers attended a school in Tower Hamlets and arrested one person on suspicion of possession of a knife. Enquiries continue to establish any link.”