Pupil brought knife to primary school for a dare

Penbridge Junior School said the knife was immediately confiscated by staff

A child brought a knife into a primary school for a dare, according to police.

Hampshire police said officers were called to Penbridge Junior School in Portsmouth on Thursday morning after reports a child was in possession of a knife.

It said school staff immediately confiscated the item, before contacting them.

A police spokesperson said the the pupil had brought the knife to school as a "dare by another student" and there was no evidence of "malicious intent" to their actions.

A spokesperson for the school said: "As soon as we were made aware [of the incident] we took immediate action, following our robust safety procedures.

"With thanks to the diligence of our staff... we can confirm that our school community remains safe and well.

"We will continue to uphold the highest standards for safety and encourage any parents or carers with questions to get in contact with the school."

Police said they were working with the pupil, their parents, and the school to ensure they understood "the seriousness of their actions" and that the behaviour would not be repeated.