Amazing week of engagement to address knife crime
We are pleased to report on the activity some of our funded projects and interventions took part in to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime during Sceptre – the national knife crime intensification week held in May.
The week is an opportunity to amplify the activity which takes place across the year to drive down knife crime in the county. Essex continues to see a 7% reduction in knife enabled reported offences (year on year).
From 13th to 19th May, as part of knife crime intensification week, there were four community meetings / education events; 52 school engagement events, 23 diversionary activities and 1,925 young people had face to face engagement, including activity directly delivered by the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership.
Localised activity
In Tendring, UTurn delivered knife awareness sessions and interventions to over 200 pupils in Tendring schools about knives, the law and impact, and Youth Unity engaged with 50 young people in the district through outreach activity.
In Harlow, Rainbow Services delivered six information sessions to 45 individuals, covering the themes of carrying a knives, knife crime and associated consequences.
While in Epping Forest, Youth Unity visited Limes Farm Primary School, Epping Forrest Primary School and Limes Farm Youth Hub, delivering workshops to more than 120 young people aged 9-14.
Twenty one young people from Southend and Colchester took part in Essex Boys and Girls Clubs Respect Project residentials and participated in discussions about knives, the dangers, penalties for carrying and the wider implications.
Countywide conversations
Across Southend, Essex and Thurrock the ReRoute programme had meaningful conversations with 15 young people involved in knife crime or carrying knives; these conversations looked at positive diversionary activities, education opportunities and employment prospects.
Essex Fire and Police Joint Education Team delivered 27 Knife Crime Awareness sessions and 14 Gangs Awareness sessions to 1,135 students in Braintree, Colchester, Chelmsford, Uttlesford, Southend, Thurrock and Tendring.
Engagement and education with our young people is so important, giving them relevant, age appropriate information and delivered in sessions where they feel they can ask questions and raise concerns.
Thanks to all those who participated in Sceptre and took the time to educate young people about the dangers of carrying a knife.
