CHILDREN at a primary school in south Essex will be given knife crime lessons amid claims a pupil brought a "large kitchen knife" into a classroom. 

The incident is said to have happened at Runwell Community Primary School last week, and involved a child under ten years old. 

The school and Essex County Council confirmed a "concern" had been raised and said the relevant authorities had been informed. 

One parent told the Echo: "I was extremely angry, concerned and shocked when I found out about this.

“I am worried about sending my own child back to school in September.”

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A message sent to parents by the school, and seen by the Echo, said: “The school has acted rapidly to ensure the correct procedures and conversations have been had with different professional agencies – including the police – from the local authority and Essex.

“The school has and is taking the appropriate measures in line with school policy, LA advice and other external agencies.

“The safety of our pupils and staff is our top priority, and we take any incident, such as what occurred yesterday [July 20] very seriously.

“In the next academic year, this year group will take part in knife crime lessons, as an addition to what is already covered within our PSHE curriculum.”

The Echo put the parent's allegation about a knife to the county council and the school.

A school spokesman said: “We can confirm a concern was raised with staff on Thursday, July 20 and following this, all appropriate safeguarding procedures were followed, and other relevant agencies were informed.

“We can assure parents that the safety and welfare of all of our children is paramount and safeguarding procedures were followed at all times.”

An Essex County Council spokesman added: “We are aware of a safeguarding incident at a school in Essex.

“We are working closely with the school and the relevant authorities regarding this matter.”