WEST Mercia Police and Fearless have teamed up to present key workshops about the dangers of knife crime and the risks faced if you carry a knife.
The Steer Clear Workshop, an Early intervention programme, has also been a huge success in areas such as Telford.
The Steer Clear Programme is an intelligence led project aimed at young people under the age of 18 who are believed to be on the periphery of knife related crime and the aims are to safeguard and prevent the criminalisation of young people.
The first workshop in North Worcestershire has just taken place and the feedback has been extremely positive.
PC Jamie Sandison from North Worcestershire Problem Solving Hub said: “Andrea Accison from Fearless opened the workshop with a really interactive session with the group, discussing with them the risks and dangers of carrying a knife.
“After a pizza dinner, the final guest speaker was Hezron Brown, a Prince’s Trust Ambassador and winner of a Pride of Britain award who talked about his life experiences as an ex-gang member.
“Herzon had those attending hanging on his every word because even though the message he is delivering is hard hitting and serious, he was very funny and engaging and the kids responded so well to him.
“The feedback from the young people in regards to Hezron has been incredible with two of them messaging him on Instagram after the event to say that he had a real impact on them and that he has made them rethink how they live their lives.
This is exactly the impact we had hoped the even would have: challenge young people to consider a different, safer path in life.”
Sergeant Laura Wright said “Feedback from our partners has also been really encouraging with Pete Martin from Redditch Self-Defence and Mel Bedford from Worcestershire Children First, both recommending the workshop to colleagues.”
“I would like to thank all those who attended for being so engaged and responding so positively, the key contributors who delivered such interactive sessions and to our officers who have helped to organise the events and were able to have so many attend.”
