How tactic halved the number of knife attacks

THE new ‘public health’ strategy will closely model the example set by Glasgow where serious knife wounds have more than halved in 1 years.

Its success has been attributed to a violence reduction unit set up by Strathclyde Police in 005.

Doctors, nurses, teachers and social workers are expected to refer youngsters who they suspect are involved in gangs – or at risk of falling into gangs.

They are told to be alert to suspicious behaviour, such as truanting, as well as to knife injuries.

The unit tries to divert children and teenagers away from gangs by pairing them up with mentors who have experience of violence themselves.

They are encouraged to stay in school or enrol in college if they have already dropped out of education.

One former gang member, who was arrested aged 15 for carrying a machete, is now studying for a masters degree in community youth work.

Kevin Martin, 4, was referred to the

unit after his arrest. He is one of a number of former gang members who are helping to mentor youngsters in similar situations.

The Glasgow strategy also sees doctors going into schools to shock children with graphic images of knife crime injury. The city – which used to be the knife crime capital of Europe – has seen hospital admissions for knife injuries fall by 65 per cent since 005.

Could the city that stemmed the bloodshed show the way? From the Mail, March 6