1. Knives
Session 6: Activity 2 & 3

2. Knife crime
Knife crime and fear of knife crime affects many young people
It is a persistent and worrying concern for parents, police and the public
People who carry knives are much more likely to be stabbed, often with their own knife
Gang members are at the highest risk of being victims of crime.

3. Why might a young person choose to carry a knife?
Pairs Activity
Why might a young person choose to carry a knife?
Split young people into pairs and ask them to list as many different reasons for and against young people choose to carry knives in three minutes.
Call time and then ask each team to count up how many they have listed under each heading. Ask for a suggestion from each group until all of the ideas have been heard.

4. Reasons to carry a knife
FOR
AGAINST
To feel safer
To defend yourself
To gain respect
To be the same as everyone else
In case you need it
Part of today’s culture
Learn control and responsibility
It’s illegal
Increased risk of being stabbed
May be used against you
Might have an accident and cut yourself
May use it
Become part of the problem
Get a criminal record
Ask: ‘Are these excuses or is there a genuine need to carry a knife, regardless of the consequences?’

5. Not for protection
A knife will not protect you. They are designed to attack not defend. Make the right choice.
There are many reasons why someone might decide to carry a knife but a common reason given is for protection. Suggest that if someone knows you have a knife, then they’ll actually be more likely to attack you first- because they’ll see you as more of a threat than someone who doesn’t have a knife. Statistics show that one in three knife-related injuries are caused by the victim’s own knife.

6. It is illegal to carry or use a knife
This includes:
Any knife, knife blade or razor blade
Any axe
Any other article which has a blade or is sharply pointed
Anything made or adapted to cause injury to people
Important to remember that it’s not just young people that carry / use knives.

7. The Law
It illegal to carry a knife for self-defence
If you are caught by police carrying a knife, even if it was for your protection or you were carrying it for someone else, you will be arrested and prosecuted
If you use a knife, even in self-defence, you could be charged with assault with intent, or even worse
If someone is injured or killed by a knife in your presence, you could be prosecuted even if you didn’t touch the knife. You could even go to prison for murder in what is called ‘joint enterprise’
It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy a knife of any sort
It is a criminal offence in a public place to have anything with a blade, or sharp point
Any item or objects that could be used to damage another person, or threaten such actions, is classed as an offensive weapon. This could include things like hammers, corkscrews or even compasses.
Possession of a knife carries a prison sentence of up to 5 years even if it's not used.
If a knife punctures an artery you can bleed to death in under 5 minutes

8. What do you think the punishment should be ?
Carrying a knife in the street
Taking a modelling knife into school
Mugging an older person at knifepoint
Standing up to a bully by threatening to cut them
Using a knife to carve initials into a tree
Drawing a fishing knife in self defence
Pulling a kitchen knife out of a drawer in the middle of heated row
Adapting something to conceal a blade
Carrying an axe hidden in a sports bag
Stabbing someone in a fight and killing them
Give out copies of this slide. In pairs, give young people 15 minutes to discuss the punishments that they think fits the knife scenarios.
Call time and then share and compare answers. Move on to Slides 5&6 to find out what the law says and compare with the judgements given by young people.

9. Crime & punishment Some ideas: Police warning Imprisonment
Fines for parents
Curfews
Electronic tagging
Corporal punishment
Community service
Make them meet their victims

10. Things to consider
There is no ‘safe place’ to stab someone. A wound in the arm or leg can still kill if an artery is severed
It is illegal to carry or use a knife
Carrying a knife significantly increases your chances of getting stabbed yourself
But - tradespeople such as fishermen or chefs can carry knives if they need them for their work. Some people can also carry them for religious reasons, or wear them as part of a national costume
Police can stop and search anyone they believe is carrying a knife
If they are stabbed in the heart a person can ‘bleed out’ and die in under 1 minute.
You can go to prison even if you didn’t use the knife

11. Knife safety Never approach someone holding a knife Never carry one
Avoid areas known for knife crime
If someone pulls a knife, don’t argue get away
Run to a crowded place and ask for help
If you’re scared tell someone
Ask: ‘What should you do if you suspect or know that someone is carrying a knife?’
Encourage suggestions and then go to next slide.

12. Reporting knives
If you think that someone you know, or someone in your area, is carrying a knife, REPORT IT to your local police on 101.
In an emergency dial 999
Call Crimestoppers anonymously on or report it online at Fearless.org, which is for young people
You can pass on information about criminal or possible criminal activity without giving your name.