‘No knives in schools’.

With recent figures showing a shocking amount of children carrying knives to school, the Havering Daily contacted Havering council to find out about the hard work they do to deal with anti social behaviour and knife crime.

Havering council work with street doctors to deliver first aid training in schools to young people, highlighting the consequences of knife crime. Delivering a half-day workshop called ‘no Knives in Schools’ to pupils about the dangers of carrying knives

They host a series of meetings in schools for parents and staff to learn more about county lines, led by a former Trident police officer. These meetings highlight how to spot the signs and get support if children are involved or at risk of being involved in county lines crime.

They also deliver ‘Stay safe’ drama lessons in a number of primary schools, working in partnership with the Ben Kinsella Trust.

‘Spark2Life’ have provided mentoring, groups sessions and assemblies on issues concerning gangs, serious youth violence and drugs in Havering.

Plus working with police and other partners on regular days of action, where the council are out in force in the borough to check for weapons and drugs.

Finally the council work’s with partners within Havering, as well as hosting a serious crime summit in November as part of our tri-borough plans with Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge to tackle serious violence.

Councillor Robert Benham, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families, said:

‘We recognise everyone’s concerns around knife crime, and we know this is not an issue that can be resolved by one organisation alone. Havering Council will continue to invest in a number of actions to tackle knife crime by working with schools, Police, and other organisations to keep children and families safe‘.