TWO primary school children who brought knives into school have sparked calls for action.

Campaigners called for better education on knives as it last night emerged Oxfordshire County Council had no policy on knife crime in schools – despite having a policy banning children wearing swimming goggles.

The two Year Five pupils, aged as young as nine, took the “small penknives” into Fritwell Primary School.

Thames Valley Police said it did not keep a separate record of children involved in knife crimes at schools.

The move came after a parent alleged one of the boys threatened Year Five children at Fritwell Primary School, near Bicester, with a knife and scratched one boy on his stomach.

The school denied any child was hurt and said the penknife was confiscated that morning, April 1.

A parent, who did not want to be named, called for better education for young people about the dangers of knife crime.

The Fritwell School parent said: “My child was not happy about going back to school.

“Kids should be taught the dangers early before it becomes a problem. With all that is in the news, kids are more aware of these things at a younger age and they should be given all the relevant facts so they know the dangers.

“The police need to be more active in primary schools in general.”

The sister of murdered Blayne Ridgway, 22, who was stabbed outside the Que Pasa bar in Oxford in May 2010, is joining forces with police to launch a campaign to warn about the dangers of knives.

Karis Daniels, of Wood Farm, Oxford, said children bringing knives into school was “disgusting”. The 25-year-old said: “Regardless of whether you carry a knife for defence or the intention of stabbing someone, at the end of the day, someone could use that knife.

“We have suggested children are educated younger about knife crime because every year the statistics show they are getting younger.

“I think if you reach out to younger children you can teach them stuff that at age 11 or 12 they might not listen to.”

In a statement, Fritwell School said: “The items brought into school by two pupils were not specifically knives, but in fact keyring ‘tool kits’ including a small penknife and a torch. Both children said they were brought in by accident and this was verified.

“The items were confiscated immediately, first thing in the morning, and the matter was dealt with in line with the school’s behavioural policy All parents of pupils involved were contacted directly on the day and letters were sent to all Year Five parents inviting them to contact the school should they wish to discuss it further.”

The letter, from headteacher Joanne Daly, described an “incident which may have worried or concerned your child” and said the matter was taken very seriously and dealt with immediately.

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: “Schools determine their own rules on these matters, but it’s really a matter of common sense that children should not bring potentially dangerous items into school. This is universally applied in schools and does not require a council policy.”

Michael Waine, county council cabinet member for schools, said: “In terms of any council policy you only have to read the Education Act which says quite clearly schools have total responsibility for all that happens within them.

“The council can give guidance on issues such as health and safety.”

He would not comment on whether more knife crime education was needed until he said it had been established whether or not the incident was a one-off.

Thames Valley Police said its officers visited secondary schools across the county to warn youngsters about the dangers of knives.