Black country secondary school gets a visit from police officers to chat about knife crime

Sandwell Schools Intervention and Prevention officer PC Hubert Treasure delivered a session centred around knife crime to pupils at Wodensborough Ormiston Academy in Wednesbury on Monday. 

The visit was a major part of his role, which sees him regularly visits schools to raise awareness and understanding of a variety of issues such as hate crime, anti-social behaviour and knife crime.

PC Treasure was joined by Chief Superintendent Kim Madill from Sandwell Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster.

The session was delivered to a group of pupils aged between 11 and 16 and centred around the element of joint enterprise and how to report any intelligence around knife crime.

The children asked officers questions about why they think knife crime is such a big issue now and poignantly, officers asked the children the same question.

Chief Superintendent Kim Madill said: “Carrying a knife is never the right thing to do. There are serious, life-changing consequences for people who make the choice to carry one.

“It’s so important that we keep reinforcing this message and continue speaking with young people and educating them to make the right decision.

“The police can’t solve this issue on our own. This is a shared responsibility across the West Midlands, and policing works closely with partners such as schools and councils.

Leigh Moore, Principal at Wodensborough Ormiston Academy, said: “As a school, we have always taken our duty to ensure the safety of our students incredibly seriously, both within our walls and out in the community. 

"We have long worked proactively with students, families, the police and local organisations to provide ongoing education and support to prevent knife crime in our region.

“This workshop is an excellent example of the work being done across our community, in close collaboration with the police, to try and make a lasting difference. 

"Through awareness programmes such as these, which are delivered in partnership, we remain focused on creating a safer environmental for all.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster said: “Preventing and tackling violence and knife crime is a top priority. That is because of the catastrophic and devastating consequences for all victims, families and local communities.

“Violence and knife crime will not be tolerated. There is no place for it.

“We also need to invest in prevention, early intervention, diversion and addressing the underlying causes of violence.

“The work of our Violence Reduction Partnership includes education programmes in schools which teach tens of thousands of young people about the dangers of carrying a knife.”