Sheffield College responds to claims knife arch is 'left unplugged'

The Sheffield College City Campus, on Granville Road, rolled out a knife arch on November 20, 2025, following reports of an incident the previous day.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article. Officers found no knife was involved, and he was released on bail.

Among a raft of other new safety measures, South Yorkshire Police provided the city campus with a knife arch.

However, The Star was contact by a student claiming they do not see the knife arch in use and it is left “unplugged” by the entrance.

The photos shared with The Star were taken on February 17 and March 17.

The student criticised the school over the emphasis placed on the arch when it arrived and the stress it caused students, only for it to “get put to the side.”

The Star contacted The Sheffield College to ask whether a formal knife arch policy was now in place.

A spokesperson said the arch was used on March 17 contrary to the student’s claims.

They said knife arch screening takes place on a weekly basis and students are selected randomly. They did not release the policy for The Star to read.

Deputy Chief Executive Andrew Hartley said: “We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for students and staff.

“As part of wider proactive safety measures, the knife arch at City Campus is operated on a weekly basis.

“Students are randomly selected by trained staff to ensure fairness in line with our Searching, Screening and Confiscation Policy. The days and times that screening take place vary to avoid predictability.

“As part of our Student Positive Relationships and Behaviour Policy, we explain prohibited items to our students and the consequences of bringing any of those on campus.

“We have also increased the security presence at our campuses, carried out searches of our grounds in conjunction with South Yorkshire Police and will be installing a knife arch at Hillsborough Campus later this year.

“We continue to educate our students and work with external agencies to raise personal safety awareness and highlight the devastating consequences of knife crime.”

The family of 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose, who was fatally stabbed at All Saints Catholic Hight School last February is campaigning for knife arches to be installed in all schools.

Harvey was fatally attacked by fellow pupil Mohammed ‘Umar’ Khan, who was also 15.

The teen was found guilty of murder and carrying a bladed knife onto school premises and detained for a minimum of 16 years.