#NOTTHEONE

SOUTH Wales Police and the Violence Prevention Unit have launched a new knife crime campaign to educate young people on the consequences of carrying a knife.

South Wales Police said knife crime remains relatively rare in the force area. Research suggests most young people who carry a knife are motivated by fear and the mistaken belief that they need to carry a knife to be safe. Many young people also believe there are more knives on the streets than there actually are.

South Wales Police said in reality carrying a knife is rare, and those who do are much more likely to be a victim of knife crime themselves.

Under the campaign, an early intervention approach is being taken to tackle knife crime with the aim of reducing the number of knife crime offences and perpetrators.

From conversations with young people in areas where knife crime offences have occurred the most often in South Wales, officers say feedback showed that those with concerns about knife crime would most likely report this to a teacher, parent, or trusted member of the community.

The partnership-led campaign aims to educate 11 to 16-year-old males on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife, targeting teachers, parents, friends and family with an educational pack of information.

Superintendent Esyr Jones said: “This campaign has been built with and for young people, and seeks to empower communities to act against knife crime. It provides individuals who have an influence in young people’s lives with information, guidance and referral options if they believe that a child they care for is at risk of being drawn into knife crime.

“Whether you are a parent, teacher, youth worker, sports coach or a young person yourself, this pack provides you with educational information to make a difference and potentially save lives.”

More details can be found at www. nottheone.co.uk