Teachers Liz Hopkin and Fiona Elias, along with a student, were wounded during a stabbing incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in April. The school day had been proceeding as usual until chaos erupted in the playground of the Carmarthenshire school. Witnessing a fellow student brandishing a knife, panic ensued as everyone began to flee and scream in fear. The assailant, a teenager, proceeded to attack teachers Hopkin and Elias, as well as another student, with threatening intentions. Subsequently, the 14-year-old responsible for the attack has been found guilty of attempted murder. The events of that day will remain etched in the memory of many students and parents at the school, reflecting a moment of terror and trauma that unfolded unexpectedly. The testimonies of witnesses, such as Lacey and Osian, shed light on the harrowing experience they endured during the violent incident. The community was left reeling in shock, and concerns over school safety have been raised, with reports indicating a concerning trend of young children being found in possession of weapons in schools across Wales.
In 2024, a secondary school pupil was arrested and charged for an incident involving a blade in Powys, with five cases relating to self-harm. The Vale of Glamorgan council reported a Year 9 pupil threatening a teacher with a sharp object in 2022. Many Welsh local authorities did not provide information in response to our Freedom of Information request. Teachers’ union UCAC expressed concerns about escalating bad behavior and violence across Wales, suggesting potential additional security measures in schools. Secretary general Ioan Rhys Jones emphasized the importance of investing in the education system to prevent a rise in violent incidents, echoing the need for a national review of school safety by Plaid Cymru Senedd member Adam Price. The Welsh government condemned any violence or abuse against school staff and highlighted their commitment to addressing school safety through immediate actions and a planned National Behaviour Summit in the spring. Actor Idris Elba weighed in on the stabbing crisis, advocating for stricter regulations on knife sales following a surge in knife-related incidents.