Lincolnshire Police are tackling the issue of knife crime through educational programmes targeted at young people
It's believed that youngsters divert from carrying knives, or being involved in serious violence because they're taught the consequences and impacts this type of crime can have
We're hearing how educational programmes for young people across Lincolnshire are helping to tackle the issue of knife crime.
Teaching youngsters the consequences, and impacts of carrying a knife or being involved in serious violence is believed to be the reason the county does not have an issue with this type of crime - to the extent of other areas.
Sergeant Melanie Standbrook from Lincolnshire Police's Education Department tells us more about its importance:
"Knife crime isn't an issue in Lincolnshire - we haven't got the same problems and issues that other counties are facing in relation to knife crime, and we're certainly not on the same level as the national picture.
"But what is really important for us in Lincolnshire Police, is that we offer our young people a preventative knife crime initiative, or engagement experience, because we know our young people in Lincolnshire might move out of county and go to other areas that are more populated and might have more of a problem.
"So it's really important for us to put the learning into our young people whilst whilst we've got them here in our county.
"Our aim is to make a difference to young people’s lives, to prevent knife enabled crime, and using the power of visual media and pupil voice, coupled with first aid skills and open conversations, we will be able to impact change going forward."
This comes as a new knife crime initiative is being launched in the new year which held it's pilot opening a week ago.
The Happening, is one of a number of projects, that are part of a £3 million violence reduction programme that the Police and Crime Commissioner, Marc Jones has committed to.
It's located at Sleaford Police Station, and was built within the station’s old custody suite. A number of rooms have since been converted into state-of-the-art spaces centred around knife crime.
The project is an immersive, educational experience that aims to prevent and divert young people away from carrying a knife and being involved in serious violence by challenging thinking, capturing the reality, and dispelling the myths to remove the glamour that is spoken about openly within young people’s lives and social media streams.
Each room is unique and utilises real world props, videos, graffiti, posters, written content and more to help educate and inform young people.
Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said:
“Incidents of knife crime, while still few in Lincolnshire, have devastating consequences for all of those involved. This project, funded by my office, is just one of the steps – but an important one – in eradicating violence from our communities.
“The project seeks to educate youngsters on the horrific consequences of knife crime for victims, offenders, and their families. If we can divert one person from this path. then it is worthwhile.
“I am determined to do everything possible to keep our communities safe.”
The pilot saw local pupils from Lincolnshire schools visit the site, to help evaluate the space ahead of its official launch in January 2024.
Lincolnshire Police secured funding from the Home Office homicide prevention fund in January 2023 which has funded the staff to deliver the programme. It has also allowed close work with the University of Lincoln, who have obtained the voice of young people, to design the programme.
Key individuals from LIVES, Crimestoppers, Lincoln College, Image Skool, Visual Print and Design and Allen Signs have helped bring the facility to life with a unique and colourful look.
The education products are also built around the National Curriculum and PSHE curriculum.