Anti-knife crime poster competition winners announced

The winners have been announced after primary school children were set a challenge to design an anti-knife crime poster.

Led by Community Support Engagement Officers PC Paul Brittain and PC Rob Hughes, pupils were asked to create a poster that illustrated the dangers of carrying a knife and devastating impact it can have.

Over 60 entries were received and four overall winners were chosen by Inspector Jodie Davies. Winners and runner ups are as followed:

• Winner: Kenzy Szwajkowski, Apley Wood Primary
• Winner Sabrina Sagheer, Apley Wood Primary
• Winner Amara Akiti, Teagues Bridge
• Winner Callicia Hodges, Telford Priory School
• Runner up Logan Baptie, Apley Wood Primary
• Runner up Heavena Bijo, Wombridge Primary
• Runner up Liliana Tomavic, Teagues Bridge
• Runner up Krystal Walsh, Telford Priory School

All winners won a £50 gift voucher and runner ups £25. The winning posters are currently on display at the front counter area of Malinsgate Police station in Telford but will rotate throughout council buildings across the area, highlighting the amazing artwork.

This competition formed part of Operation Sceptre, which is the national anti-knife crime intensification week which took place Monday 13 November until Sunday 19 November. During this week of action officers visited a number of schools to raise awareness of the consequences of carrying a knife and highlighted diversionary pathways away from knife crime.

Headteacher of Wombridge Primary School, Mrs Solomon said: “It is important that the children have a good understanding of the police and how they help the community”.

Headteacher of Apley Primary School, Ellen Smith said: “We very much value our links with West Mercia police and the local teams.  It’s important that our pupils have opportunity to work with the PCSO and CSEO teams to ensure they receive important messages about safety and that they know who/what services are available to support in times of need. 

“The positive relationships we have are also key to supporting our wider community safety.”

Head of Art at Telford Priory School, Kerri Bailey, said: “It was a good subject, and the class had some great discussions, we are pleased to have taken part.”

Headteacher of the Teagues Bridge Primary School, Sarah Abdulla said: “At Teagues Bridge we value the importance of working with Community Support Engagement Officers and the police to safeguard our children in the community, this ensures children have clear messages on keeping safe in our challenging world. It helps to foster good relationships with police from an early age.”

Visit our website for more information about the intervention programme, Steer Clear, visit Knife Crime | West Mercia Police or The Children’s Society - Steer Clear | The Children's Society (childrenssociety.org.uk)

Concerns about knife crime can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through Fearless fearless.org.

Issued by NH, Corporate Communications