CHILDREN at a Port Glasgow primary school were allegedly 'threatened' by a youngster holding a knife.

The police were not called to deal with it, and now a worried parent says he is 'disgusted' with the way Inverclyde Council handled the incident.

It is believed an 11-year-old found a small camp or pen knife outside St John's Primary and took it into the grounds on Friday.

The parent of another 11-year-old heard about it from his son, and told the Tele he is very unhappy about the council's reaction.

He said: "My son returned home from school and informed myself and my wife that another 11-year-old pupil in primary seven entered the school playground with a small knife and made threats towards other kids, asking the question 'who is the snitch?' while holding the knife in a threatening manner.

"My instant reaction is one of alert and worry. Other parents feel the same.

"I probed my child further on the incident, thinking that the police may be involved. But, according to my son, very limited action was taken in a bid to keep the incident quiet.

"The pupil in question remained in the class for the rest of the day, with the only punishment being kept in during playtime."

The parent continued: "Is this correct, I ask myself? Surely more action should be taken towards a child who brings a knife into a school?

"We were informed that the head master did call some parents to alert them to the incident.

"I feel I need to share my disgust that a school can keep a child in class and not be removed from the school after threatening other kids with a blade."

A spokesman for the council confirmed that the police had not been brought in to deal with the incident.

He said: “The head teacher immediately contacted the parents of the pupil in question, who came into school to discuss what had happened.

"Based on all of the facts, he took action that was both appropriate and proportionate."

The spokesman added: "The safety of pupils is an absolute priority along with their long-term welfare and educational needs.

"We work with a number of groups and agencies to teach children and young people about the dangers of carrying knives, and to raise awareness of the consequences.”