knife crime

Giant bee helps tackle knife crime

A giant bee made of weapons deposited in Greater Manchester Police’s Forever Amnesty will be visiting schools and Salford City College in September.

The huge sculpture which was made from numerous knives, guns and other weapons is the latest initiative to steer the city’s young people away from violence.

Knife crime in Salford – unlike some areas of the country – has fallen, thanks to extensive work with young people by Salford Community Safety Partnership and ongoing Greater Manchester Police operations to remove weapons from circulation.

School pupils across Salford are hearing the message that choices have consequences directly from former gang members, prison officers and through music and drama.

Community groups are working with young people on the verge of criminality and police officers are using information to deter, disrupt and prosecute criminals and get weapons off the streets.

“Whilst we welcome the fall in knife crime in Salford, we’re not complacent about the dangers. Even one person hurt is one too many,” said Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment, neighbourhoods and community safety.

Knife crime falls – but work goes on

Knife crime may be falling in Salford but the work to get knives off the streets never lets up.

From sessions in schools to police patrols, Salford Community Safety Partnership is working hard to warn young people about the dangers of knives and steer them away from crime.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment, neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “Most young people don’t carry a knife but for any who do or who are considering, we say stop, think and don’t.

“If you’re caught carrying an illegal knife there’s no excuse, no defence of self-protection. You could get up to four years in jail or an unlimited fine and a criminal record. That will affect your chances of getting a job and even travelling abroad, as some countries ban people with knife crime convictions.

“Situations can quickly get out of control if knives are involved.”

Taking action

• Most high schools in Salford have enjoyed the No More Knives music tour with pastor and former gang member Mo Timbo talking about how he turned his life around.

• Prison officer and dog handler Paul McGovern, who runs Actions Have Consequences, talks to pupils about the impact of choices they make.

• Police school engagement officers support those initiatives and regularly speak to pupils about drugs, gangs and the myth that knives offer protection.

• Police officers also hold sessions carrying a on the law as many young knife could lead people didn’t know just carrying to four years in a knife could lead to four years jail for young in jail. people

• Young people starred in The Broughton Trust’s play #GETHELP about the impact of a knife crime murder on the victim’s family and friends. A second play is planned.

• Greater Manchester’s Violence Reduction Unit has funded Street Doctors, to help young people learn lifesaving first aid skills

• Greater Manchester Police run Operation Sycamore knife patrols in hot spots, using community information and stop and search potential offenders as necessary

• Salford Community Safety Partnership members work together to offer young people alternative activities and support to steer them away from crime and poor choices.

Know the law

It’s an offence to have, without lawful authority, good reason or reasonable excuse:

• An offensive weapon in a public place, defined as any article made, adapted or intended to cause injury.

• Any bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place, except a folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of three inches or less.

• An offensive weapon or a bladed or pointed article on school premises

The maximum sentence for each of these offences is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine following conviction in the magistrates’ court, or up to four years’ imprisonment and/or a fine following conviction in the Crown Court. Mandatory minimum custodial sentences apply if an offender is aged 16 or over.

The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 makes it illegal to possess certain weapons and bladed articles; anyone buying online and attempting to take delivery of such items would be breaking the law.

It’s illegal to buy a knife if you’re under 18 or to sell a knife to someone under 18. Any concerns about local shops selling knives should be reported to trading.standards@salford.gov.uk

Worried about knives?

Let your children know they can always talk to you or a trusted adult such as a teacher or youth worker if they are worried about knives.

Listen to their concerns and help them find a solution that doesn’t involve knives and make sure they understand the consequences of carrying a knife.

If someone is injured or killed by a knife in your presence you could be tried for causing harm or murder even if you’re not the main offender under the joint enterprise law.

If you need to dispose of a knife you can do so with no questions asked at one of 13 Forever Amnesty bins across Greater Manchester. Salford’s amnesty bin is at Swinton police station, Chorley Road, M27 6AZ.

You can report information about knife crime completely anonymously to Crimestoppers at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555111.

Young people can visit Fearless www.fearless.org which is designed to help them report crime.