Knife crime education programme will target teens
Teenagers will be targeted as part of a new education programme aimed at cutting knife crime in the region.
New workshops will be held at schools, colleges, community and youth centres in an effort to teach young children about the devastating impact of knife crime.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Jamieson has pumped £37,000 into the Street Aid project after being alarmed about the number of knife attacks across the West Midlands.
Sessions will be held for those aged between 14 and 24 in Wolverhampton and Walsall. A key feature will be equipping teens and young adults with lifesaving first-aid skills to try and increase the chances of a stab victim surviving until medics arrive and take over.
They will also be taught about how to resolve conflicts peacefully and be urged to think about the dangers of carrying weapons.
Knife crime has reached record levels in the West Midlands this year. Figures showed there were 3,560 crimes involving a blade in the year to June, marking one of the biggest rises for any police force in the country.
The workshops will cover the types of injuries which may occur during street attacks, such as gunshots, knife wounds and acid attacks.
All sessions will be delivered by qualified trainers and include practical, scenario-based exercises and group discussion.
The project is funded through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Active Citizens Fund, a scheme which awards money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act to groups aiming to reduce crime and increase community safety.
Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Waheed Saleem, added: “Street Aid is a great example of a project which is making a real difference to communities across the West Midlands.
“Equipping young people with the skills and knowledge to respond to difficult, and often life-threatening situations, will help in reducing conflict on the street and the rise in violence throughout the region.
“These workshops are crucial in acknowledging issues that young people are facing and breaking down barriers of communication.”
Chris Gowlett, director of Street Aid added: “The Active Citizen Fund has given us a fantastic opportunity to roll out delivery of Street Aid across the West Midlands.
“The funding has allowed us to work closely with a wide range of young people in multiple areas, developing their consequential thinking and conflict resolution skills in order to help them play an active role in making better decisions and understanding the impact their actions can have on others.
“Without the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Active Citizens Fund, this work would not have been possible.”
