Over 24,000 violent incidents in schools so far this year

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today questioned the First Minister about shocking rates of school violence as new research by his party revealed that there have been over 24,000 violent incidents reported in schools already in the current school year.

Scottish Liberal Democrats asked every local authority how many violent incidents have been reported in primary and secondary schools. Of the 30 councils which replied, the new figures show:

• There have been 24,387 violent incidents reported in this school year so far;
• There were a record-breaking 40,382 violent incidents reported last year (2023/24).

The Scottish Government launched its Relationships and Behaviour in Schools National Action Plan 2024-2027 at the start of this school year.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“Since the launch of the Netflix drama Adolescence, everybody is talking about the challenges young people face: violence in school, the rise of toxic misogynists like Andrew Tate, online bullying.

“It isn’t just a drama, it’s happening here and now in Scotland too.

“Last summer, the Scottish Government published a new action plan. It aimed to make pupils and staff feel safe and supported.

“However, my party is publishing new research today that shows there have been over 24,000 violent incidents reported in schools in the months since the action plan was revealed.

“Incident for incident, it’s matching the trajectory of the record-breaking 40,000 reports of school violence recorded last year.

“Pupils shouldn’t be going to school afraid. Teachers deserve to know this government has their back.

“So does the First Minister think that pupils and staff feel any safer or more supported, and what further practical actions will be taken to combat violence in schools?”