Workshop held to educate young people on the dangers of knife crime

Police officers in Shropshire have delivered their first workshop to young people to educate them about the dangers of carrying a knife.

West Mercia Police has teamed up with local organisations to deliver the Steer Clear workshop, an intelligence led project aimed at young people under the age of 18 who are believed to be on the periphery of knife related crime. The workshops aim to safeguard young people and steer them away from crime.

The programme rollout in Shropshire comes after the workshop received positive feedback in Telford where it was first introduced two years ago.

Sergeant Chris Haslam of West Mercia Police said: “Fortunately serious knife related crime is rare in the county, however we cannot be complacent. It’s been a real team effort to put these workshops together with support from numerous agencies all helping make the sessions interactive, interesting and thought provoking. We hope that the messages stay with the young people and give them the opportunity to pause, reflect and make the right decision.

“I would like to thank all those who attended for being so engaged and responding so positively, as well as key contributors who delivered such interactive sessions and the police team who worked hard to deliver the workshop.”

Speakers included Tim Allin from the Shropshire Stay True project and Stuart Cook from Brightstar boxing, both local organisations set up to help with mentoring young people. Guests also heard from a young victim of a serious stabbing, who attended with his family to show the stark reality of knife crime.

Volunteers from the NHS were also in attendance and demonstrated how to give first aid to someone who has stab wounds with easily found items, such as clothing and shoe laces.

Anyone who is concerned a young person is involved in or on the periphery of becoming involved in knife crime and carrying a knife can report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More information for young people about the stark consequences of knife crime can be found at www.fearless.org where concerns can also be reported anonymously.

Issued by RJ, Corporate Communications