Video campaign launched in Leicestershire to combat knife crime among young people
Real stories are being used to raise awareness
Young people in Leicestershire are hearing about the dangers of carrying knives with videos of real stories being published in an interactive map of the county.
The We Don’t Carry #LivesNotKnives campaign aims to educate children and young people about the risks associated with carrying knives and encourages them to make positive choices.
How does the interactive map work?
Denise Webbe, a specialist community public health nurse with the Healthy Together school nursing service, initiated the project after noticing an increase in conversations about knife crime in her school clinics.
Webbe coordinated efforts with a digital development team from the Trust, among other partners, to create the interactive map.
The map includes over 40 videos featuring narratives from local young people, family members, professionals such as ambulance workers, hospital staff, police and fire service members, and youth workers affected by knife crime.
The campaign also equips adults with resources to promote safe conversations about knife crime.
A free pack is being distributed to secondary schools in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, including a lesson plan, posters, and links to the interactive map and videos.
'Devastating consequences'
Denise Webbe said: “I first got involved in talking about knife-crime while based in a Leicester secondary school. I was working with young people on the emotional side of coercion, where some young people were being made to feel they should carry a knife by their friends or people they knew.
"As public health nurses, part of what we do is to work with young people to teach them about choices and help them to make the right kind of choices, even if they are experiencing peer pressure.
“I really wanted to be able to have more resources to help young people to truly understand the devastating consequences of carrying a knife and demonstrate that there is always a choice to not carry a weapon. It was important to bring together voices from across the community, from different areas and backgrounds.
“On behalf of all partners involved in the project, I’d like to thank every person who took part in the videos and shared their experiences, as their powerful stories have truly brought to life the impact that knife crime has on everyone involved.”
Signs someone may be carrying a knife...
The campaign said some of the key warning signs include:
- Changes in attitude to school or education
- Being protective or secretive about their bag or clothing
- Expressing positive attitudes toward carrying knives (e.g., “it’s for self‑defence”)
- Online purchases of blades or knifes arriving in the post
- Items going missing from the home that could be used as weapons, such as kitchen knives or screwdrivers.
'Preventing knife crime requires collaboration'
Grace Strong, Director of the Violence Reduction Network said: “Violence, particularly when a weapon such as a knife is involved, has a devastating impact.
"The effects are felt not only by those directly harmed, but by their families, friends, communities and the professionals who respond to these incidents. It is often described as a ripple effect, but the reality is that the impact is far greater and longer lasting.
“Preventing knife crime requires collaboration with everyone playing a role. By working together and co-designing solutions, we can reduce the likelihood of children and young people being affected by violence now and in the future.”