Learn to stop knife crime
COURSE ONE OF THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN REGION
A COURSE launched by a college aims to help people tackle knife crime.
The one-day Recognising and Safeguarding Against Knife Crime Award level 1 will be taught at City Skills Centre, in Charles Street, Leicester.
Leicester College, which is organising the course, said it was suitable for anyone wishing to improve their knowledge of the law regarding carrying a knife, the effects on people involved and how to deal with people carrying knives.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics for May showed the number of serious crimes involving knives or other sharp objects was at its highest level since 2011.
Last year, 824 serious offences in Leicestershire involved a knife or sharp object.
These included five homicides, 11 attempted murders, and nine rapes and sexual assaults.
There were also 430 assaults with injury or with intent to cause serious harm that involved knives or sharp objects, as well as 278 robberies and 91 threats to kill.
Successful students will gain a nationally recognised award which shows employers they understand how to manage the issue in their workplace or elsewhere.
It is particularly suitable for students who are returning to work after a period of unemployment who wish to improve their skills.
James Royley, lecturer in security at Leicester College, said: “The original idea came from a campus visit from police and we believe we’re one of the first colleges in the Midlands to offer such a course.
“The new course complements our existing security courses and will help to raise awareness of this important issue that crosses over many workplace environments.”
Paul Waldron, one of the first students, said: “I was previously employed in retail security and am looking to get back into that sort of role.
“The knife crime course has really opened my eyes to the scale of the problem. The course will help me to make a difference.”