Children taught knife crime education sessions during week of action

Children across the county are being taught about the dangers of carrying weapons and their devastating consequences as part of Nottinghamshire Police’s week of action to tackle knife crime.

Schools and early intervention officers will be delivering knife crime sessions in schools and colleges across the county via information stalls set up at lunchtimes, hard-hitting assemblies and presentations, and visits to pupil referral units.

Nottinghamshire Police is providing a snapshot of its ongoing work to tackle knife crime as part of Sceptre – a national knife crime week of action, which runs between May 13 and 19.

Educating people about the consequences of carrying knives and taking weapons off the street are the main themes of the national campaign.

Sceptre takes place twice a year – in May and November – and allows police forces to showcase their ongoing work that takes place throughout the year to target knife crime.

Schools and early intervention officers work closely with school communities across the year to speak with young people about knife crime and to answer any questions they may have on this important topic.

In 2023, more than 2,600 schoolchildren and college students were taught about the dangers of carrying a knife during educational visits led by officers and a similar number of pupils are expected to engage again this year.

As part of this, secondary schools across the county will be visited by schools and early intervention officers to deliver the important sessions.

Schools and early intervention officers provide professional support to educational institutions to engage, educate and raise awareness of important topics amongst all young people.

They can also help divert vulnerable young people, where appropriate, away from the criminal justice system through early intervention and restorative justice.

Sergeant Kerry Hall is Nottinghamshire Police’s lead for schools and early intervention officers as part of the force’s Prevention Hub.

The Prevention Hub is a collaboration between multiple force departments responsible for developing and delivering strategies to prevent crime and disorder throughout the city and county.

It covers a range of areas including schools and early intervention officers, youth outreach and cadets.

She said: “The decision to carry and use knives can have devastating consequences.

“This is why it is so crucial that we speak with young people and educate them on the subject so that they can make the right decision if they find themselves in a situation where they ever consider carrying or using a weapon.

“Stopping people from picking a knife up in the first place is incredibly important in reducing knife crime and that is why early education and intervention is so significant, helping to keep young people and communities safe from harm.

“We continue to work alongside educational institutions and our partner organisations to prevent knife crime offences, whether that be through our education sessions in schools, engagement work with communities, or proactive policing.”