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Are you a parent, carer or teacher?We need your help to encourage young people to make the right choice and to Ditch the Blade. Some young people carry because they feel worried so it's really important that we tackle the reasons behind this together, and provide support to reassure our young people that knives are not the answer. To bring communities together to tackle knife crime, we're supporting the Ditch the Blade campaign in Staffordshire. Through education and prevention work, the campaign aims to encourage community conversations about knife crime to show our young people that carrying a knife isn't ok. By bringing this topic into the spotlight we hope to make our young people aware of the risks and consequences they face if they decide to carry a knife. The Ditch the Blade campaign supports Operation Sceptre, two national weeks of dedicated activity against knife crime. These weeks are an opportunity for us to highlight everything we're doing as a partnership to tackle knife crime in Staffordshire, but our work continues all year round.
Advice for parent and carersWhen someone becomes involved with knife crime or drugs they often change their behaviour. As a parent or carer, it is important to know what to look for. Common warning signals may indicate a young person is involved in something untoward, such as if they: become withdrawn from family and school change their behaviour and/or are skipping school have lost interest in hobbies and old friends, and now hang around with a new group, staying out late they’re vague about where they’re going or where they’ve been become secretive and defensive easily, particularly about what’s in their bag and might even have told you that they need to carry a knife for protection take kitchen knives from home, hiding them in their bag or coat.
Who can I call for help? If you are a parent or carer and you are worried about a child you can seek guidance and support from your local safeguarding team: Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Safeguarding Referral Team - 01782 235100, or out of hours 01782 234234 All other areas of Staffordshire are covered by Staffordshire County Council’s First Response team - 0800 1313 126, or out of hours 0345 6042 886
How do I report knife crime? If you have information, you can contact us via our website's reporting form or live chat, or if you prefer you can call us on 101. You should always dial 999 in an emergency, such a crime happening there and then or if someone's life is at immediate risk. Alternatively, you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or online on the Crimestoppers website. By reporting a crime or giving information, you can prevent future crimes from happening and potentially save someone's life.
Information could include: Anyone you know or believe to be carrying a knife People you suspect are involved in gangs, organised crime or drug dealing Any suspicions you have regarding sexual exploitation or people asking young people to do things for money, gifts or other items in return Young people going missing and their whereabouts being unaccounted for, or whether their behaviour changes i.e. they're worried, scared, upset or have unexplained injuries Any websites or social media that evidences crimes taking place, make a note of dates/times and take screenshots so they can be sent to police.
For further information on this subject please click on the following link #DitchTheBlade | Staffordshire Police Best wishes, | ||||
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