Bedfordshire Police have carried out their largest ever push to teach young people in Luton about the risks of knife crime, reaching two thousand students in the space of just a week.
The force stepped up its work in the town ahead of Sceptre, the national knife crime week of action which runs until 23 November.
The bulk of the activity took place at Luton Sixth Form College, where teenagers spent five days in workshops led by the force’s Education and Diversion team with support from Community Policing officers. The force views this as its most intensive education initiative yet, designed to confront the myths around knives and set out the real harm caused by carrying weapons.
Students heard first-hand accounts from local people affected by knife crime and took part in sessions using immersive VR films on knife crime, county lines and exploitation. Police say this wider approach to early intervention is becoming increasingly important as they try to stem the number of young people drawn into violence.
The programme sits alongside a series of events and enforcement activity planned for Sceptre, which will includes officers carrying out weapon sweeps, checks on retailers and community engagement events throughout the week. The force continues to push its Just Drop It campaign, urging anyone carrying a knife to dispose of it safely in one of Bedfordshire’s 11 knife bins.
Superintendent Alex House, Bedfordshire Police’s knife crime lead and the national lead for Sceptre, said: “Sceptre provides an opportunity to shine a light on the breadth of work taking place both locally and nationally to reduce knife crime.
“Enforcement remains a key part of our response but the impact of knife crime on victims, families, residents and even offenders also underline why education, early intervention and sustained community engagement matter more than ever.
“Strong partnerships across services are also vital to addressing root causes and preventing violence before it happens.
“We are committed to continuing and building on the work that is already happening and we’re grateful to all those working alongside us to reduce harm, support and guide young people and encourage them to drop the knife.”
Police and Crime Commissioner, John Tizard, said: “We must do everything we can to prevent people especially young people carrying knives on the streets and elsewhere and I fully support the work of Bedfordshire Police and the Violence and Exploitation Prevention Partnership. We must also enforce the law against those who carry and use knives. Prevention requires action by schools, retailers, the police and all of us.
“I am pushing for the end of the sale of weapons designed with the sole purpose of inflicting harm. Those with such weapons should surrender them.”
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