Anti-knife crime campaigners aim to make people ‘aware of the consequences’
It is Knife Crime Awareness Week
A Swindon-based anti-knife crime organisation is calling on people to consider the consequences of their actions.
The Owen’s World Foundation was set up after 18-year-old Owen fell victim to a fatal stabbing in the Haydon End area of the town in December 2022.
In the year ending September 2024, there were 254 recorded incidents on knife crime in Wiltshire and Swindon.
Jo Davis, founder of Owen’s World, told Greatest Hits Radio Knife Crime Awareness Week plays a big role in highlighting the dangers.
“Obviously it’s important to raise awareness every day of the year but this one week just highlights, really, what a danger it is and how we need to make people aware of the consequences.”
The Owen’s World Foundation will be at New College Swindon today to educate to give talks and run educational sessions which aim to educate students about knife crime.
They are set to be accompanied by Wiltshire Police who will be bringing knife arches – a scanner similar to what can be found at airports which detects if the person walking through the arch has a knife on them.
Later this week, they will be heading to Parliament to join other anti-knife crime organisations in attending a reception organised by the Ben Kinsella Trust – a knife crime prevention charity.
Through all their activities, they are hoping to get people to understand that knives are never a solution.
“During Knife Crime Week we are trying to get the message out that it’s not okay to pick up a knife for any reason.
“We need people to be aware of the dangers and consequences.”
Earlier this month, Owen’s World collaborated with New College Swindon on the installation of new knife amnesty bins which can now be found on the Queens Drive and North Star Campuses.
“This initiative reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and community well-being,” said Shannon Oakley, the college’s safeguarding manager.
“Our partnership with Owen’s World is not in response to any incidents at NCS, but rather a proactive step towards creating a safer future for everyone.”
If you witness or have been a victim of knife crime, report the incident to your local police force.