A NEW research-led campaign aimed at tackling knife crime has been launched by Thames Valley Police as it marks Knife Crime Awareness Week.
TVP has launched a new campaign and commissioned new research and resources to help young people stay safe and avoid knife crime.
They have worked with youth workers and young people across the district to find out more about their experiences and thoughts on what causes conflict and violence, as well as how they feel it could be prevented.
The research led to a new campaign, Stay True To You, which seeks to promote a positive message for young people as well as targeting the trusted adults in their lives.
It is directed towards parents, carers, family members, community leaders, and faith groups, as well as other positive influences such as youth workers, sports coached, and volunteers.
The campaign includes a new animated video, which features the voice of a 19-year-old from Wokingham, encouraging dialogue between young people and influential adults about making positive decisions with regards to knife crime.
The Stay True To You campaign also includes a website, which signposts a number of resources and explains the evidence-led approach to communication with potential victims and perpetrators of knife crime.
As part of the campaign, TVP commissioned research into how young people feel knife better be prevented, the results of which have also been shared.
It found that young people want to be confident in themselves to make positive choices and can sometimes feel patronised about safety decisions.
It found that fear was the biggest driver of conflict, which in turns led to the carrying of weapons, often caused by not knowing who to ask for help or what to do.
It also reported the positive influence of trusted adults such as carers, teachers, and youth workers, in giving advice, as well as a positivity in messaging to build trust and avoid further traumatic imagery.
As well as informing the campaign, the research will also be used in a number of training and outreach programmes.
Workshops based on the findings will be taken to schools and youth groups to help share their messaging, while new materials, resources, and training sessions will be made available to a number of trusted adult organisations, such as youth workers, teachers, sports coaches, and community volunteers.
Leading knife crime charity The Ben Kinsella Trust is offering a series of free online parent and carer information sessions throughout June.
Jules Bottazzi, head of the Violence Prevention Partnership, said: “In designing this new approach to help promote safety for young people we have responded to what they told us to be positive.
“Don’t speak down to us, instead help us be confident to make the right choices, and to know there is always someone to speak to if needed.
“We know the best chance of reaching young people is through those adults they trust for advice – their parents, teachers, but in particular youth workers, sports coaches, volunteers, community or faith group leaders.
“We have new resources and training opportunities to help, so if you’re starting a conversation with someone about safety, start with the Stay True to You approach and resources.”
Full details about the campaign and relevant resources, as well as sign-up for online sessions, are available via: staytruetoyou.co.uk
