Assurance given over knife crime

THERE are no problems with knife crime in Oldham’s schools, say council chiefs.

Councillor Rod Blyth, cabinet member for people and communities, spoke out to reassure residents as it emerged that a team of council and police officers have finished a new pilot scheme at Kaskenmoor School aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime.

It included sessions looking at the law on carrying weapons, what the police are doing do tackle it, the extent of the injuries that can be caused and real life case studies.

It could now be rolled out to schools across the borough to help ensure that youngsters understand the full horror of knife crime.

Councillor Blyth said: “I would like to reassure citizens that there are no issues about the possession and use of knives in any school in Oldham.

“This is a national initiative that has been introduced across the country and is focused on educating and preventing our young people carry knives that has been successfully piloted at Kaskenmoor.

“The scheme has been a great success with 120 pupils taking part and it is hoped that it can be rolled out to other schools across the borough.”

The Home Office has launched a string of initiatives aimed at cutting knife crime after a spate of high-profile stabbings raised fears.

Fatal

Ten police force areas, including Greater Manchester, covered by the Tackling Knives Action Programme had a fall of nearly a fifth in knife–related violence against under–20s in just under a year.

But the number of fatal stabbings was unchanged at 23 between July, 2008, and March, 2009, compared with a year earlier.

New adverts aimed at turning young people away from knife crime have just been launched.

Posters showing youngsters behind bars alongside the slogan “Carry a Knife and Lose Your Life” have gone on display at local bus stops, while TV and online adverts include accounts from young people held in young offender institutions warning of the dangers of getting involved with knives.