The Community Safety Partnership in Northampton has started working with schools to warn pupils about the dangers of knife crime. The initiative has paved the way for a new project which will see youth clubs created to target at youngsters most at risk of finding themselves caught up in organised and violent crime. This case study is an example of how councils are tackling youth violence.
The challenge
It has been apparent for some time that Northampton Council is facing growing problems with organised crime. The town’s location – between London and Birmingham – has left it vulnerable to county lines and cuckooing.
High rates of deprivation have also been linked to crime. Northampton has two local areas in the one per cent most deprived in the country and 15 per cent of children live in out-of-work households.
Police figures suggest over half of gangs and drug lines in the area have links to young people under the age of 18, while young people using local services have identified problems linked to substance misuse, family relationships, bullying, sexual health and low self-esteem.
Chief Inspector James Willis, the District Commander, said many young people are equipping themselves with knives out of fear of other teenagers, while others are being groomed by gangs. “Northampton and the wider county
“It sadly mirrors the increase across the country, partly fuelled by the rise of gangs trafficking drugs from cities into smaller towns. All the evidence suggests that if you carry a knife you are more likely to be stabbed. It won’t protect you. It will just put you at more risk of injury, prosecution or even death.”
The solution
The Community Safety Partnership has identified working with schools as a key priority to prevent more children getting caught up in crime.
In February 2018 a CSE event was held at a local theatre where drama productions and awareness sessions were delivered to 500 primary and secondary schools.
And later in the year, the partnership turned its attention to knife crime launching #StopKnivesSaveLives in September. It is a joint project by the ambulance service, police, youth offending service, university, borough council and youth organisation Free2Talk.
The campaign has been targeted at year six and year seven pupils. The year six pupils have been given talks about community safety, warned about the dangers of rail tracks and about the risks of knife crime.
Councillor Anna King, Northampton cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “We did not want it to be too graphic. But we have seen really young people get caught up in crime – some as young as 12 – and so we wanted to start raising the issues early.
“We have had a local judge come in to talk to the pupils as well. He talked about his experience of sentencing young people, warning one mistake can have terrible consequences for your life.”
The sessions for secondary school pupils have been more hard-hitting featuring a video filmed by the ambulance service showing the impact of a stabbing and how it has to be treated. Talks have also been given by the youth offending service as well as police officers.
Lee Brentnall, Ambulance Operations Manager for Communications, Engagement and Safeguarding for East Midlands Ambulance Service, said the aim of the video was to provide a perspective “that is seldom heard”. “We are keen to work together to safeguard our young people and reduce deaths and serious injuries with knife and violent crime.”
The impact
The talks are in the process of being rolled out to schools across the town. By the end of this academic year all 17 secondary schools and many of the primary schools will have been involved.
Teachers in all the schools have also been present to help raise awareness of the signs to look out for.
The feedback has been really positive. Pupils have been asked to complete a survey following the sessions. Some 94 per cent said they now know significantly more about the consequences of carrying an offensive weapon, 79 per cent about blood loss and first aid and 80 per cent about weapons and the law.
Lessons learned
Councillor King said the work engaging schools has been really successful, but it also led the Community Safety Partnership to conclude there was a real gap in provision. “The preventative work in schools has been a really important development. We also know there is a lot of good work going on at a tier four level through the youth offending service. “But there is less in place at a tier three level – for those who are just beginning to find themselves at the edge of criminality. I think it is probably a common problem across the country.”
How the approach is being sustained
In 2019 a new initiative – run by Free2Talk – will be launched. It will see youth clubs set up in three areas aimed at targeting those aged 10 to 17 who are involved in low-level crimes. The work is being funded by the Home Office’s Trusted Relationships Fund after Northampton was awarded funding of £800,000 to pay for the work. Social workers, police and youth offending teams will be encouraged to refer young people into the youth clubs where there will be specially trained workers there to engage them. It will also be open to all young people in an area in a bid to get those who are referred mixing and developing healthy relationships. The club will have music, computer consoles and regular activities. Mentors will also work from the youth clubs to provide more intensive one-to-one support for those who need it. Councillor King said: “Tackling knife crime is a big priority for us so we are grateful to have secured the funding. We really think this could have a big impact and reduce the number of young people being exploited.”
Contact
Vicki Rockall
Community Safety and Engagement Manager
Northampton Borough Council
[email protected]