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Violent Crime For more details/support please contact Mrs Hadgett lhadgett@trenthamacademy.co.uk

Violent crime Violent crime: A violent crime is when someone physically hurts or threatens to hurt someone, and also includes crimes where a weapon is used, e.g. a knife or gun attack. Gang: The definition of a gang is a group of people with a shared interest, or who share a common identity. A gang does not have to be involved in criminal activity, although that is usually what people think of. colour

Why are we talking about this? More than 503 people have been killed in violent attacks in London this year, most of them stabbings, including children as young as 16. Last week, Amber Rudd published the Serious Violence Strategy in response to the increased violence. Read me (I’m 114 pages long!) Discuss any incidents that you hear on the news with your child.

True or false? Carrying a knife will not get you arrested. FALSE Possession of a knife can carry a prison sentence of up to 4 years even if it's not used. Claiming it is for protection is not a defence.1 FALSE You are more likely to become a victim of violent crime if you carry a knife. By carrying a knife, you are much more likely to get stabbed yourself as situations involving weapons can quickly get out of control. 3 TRUE If someone is hurt by a knife in your presence, you can be sent to prison. Even if it's not you who does it, you could be sent to prison for murder referred to as ‘joint enterprise’ if someone is hurt by a knife in your presence.2 TRUE 1 in 10 knife offences last year were by children under 18. Adults are responsible for most knife offences, but last year 1 in 5 perpetrators were under the age of 18, the highest number since 2010.4 FALSE

Students…. Students: If you need to talk to someone about the issues raised you can either: Speak to a teacher or trusted adult, OR Call ChildLine to speak to someone (it’s free!) If you think someone you know might be carrying a knife and you want to report it, you can do so through CrimeStoppers online at www.crimestopper-uk.org or over the phone. It is anonymous. You can also report it by calling call 101

Warning signs…. These signs do not always mean the worst is happening and could just be normal teenager behaviour: Have they become withdrawn from the family/school? Is the school reporting worrying changes in behaviour, achievement, attendance? Have they lost interest in positive activities such as sports clubs? Do they stay out unusually late without giving a reason and are vague about their whereabouts? Have they stopped seeing old friends and started hanging out with a new group? Are they secretive about the contents of their bag? Are they defensive if you ask what is in their possession or if they are hiding anything? Has their attitude changed about carrying knives/weapons? Have any items gone missing from the kitchen, tool box or garage? Have you found a weapon hidden amongst their possessions?