Somerset remains a safe place to live, however the impact and fear of knife crime is a national and local concern. This May Somerset partners are coming together to raise awareness of knife crime prevention. We believe that by working together, we can create a safer future for young people.

Knife crime is not an inevitable part of society. Although it is often viewed as a persistent and complex issue, this perspective overlooks the vital work taking place every day. Across Somerset, multi-agency practitioners, charities, police, youth professionals, parents, carers, and individuals are making a tangible difference in the lives of young people everyday.

Small actions lead to big change.

Knife Crime Awareness Week provides a national platform to recognise and celebrate these efforts. Through sharing real stories, highlighting effective programmes and demonstrating impact, the week aims to raise awareness and encourage broader engagement in the movement to end knife crime.

Here is how you can get involved:

Partners will be providing knife crime focused pop-ups at education settings and youth hubs across Somerset throughout Knife Crime Week including:

Share the Somerset knife crime survey

Share the survey so that the Safer Somerset Partnership (SSP) can find out more about perceptions of knife crime across Somerset.

Scan the QR code or click HERE

Somerset Youth Hubs

The Violence Reduction Partnership as part of the Highlight Scheme have set up Youth Hubs with Young Somerset in both Bridgwater and Taunton.

Bridgwater Hub: 4pm to 6pm on Fridays in Coffee#1, Fore Street
Taunton Hub: 3pm to 5pm on Saturdays in McDonalds, East Street

Stand Against Violence Community Workshop – 20 May, 6pm

Priorswood Community Centre Taunton

To find out more click HERE

This workshop is open to children in Year 7 and above, as well as parents, carers and grandparents. It offers a compelling opportunity to tackle knife crime by equipping young people with essential skills and knowledge to change their attitudes.

Education empowers people to make safer choices and prevent knife crime before it starts.

Below are some useful links to support for young people and families:

The Ben Kinsella Trust

The Ben Kinsella Trust – The Ben Kinsella Trust is a charity that tackles knife crime through education and campaigning. For advice for parents, carers and professionals about talking to young people about knife crime visit the Ben Kinsella Trust website.

Fearless (Crimestoppers)

Fearless.org - Fearless is a site where you can access non-judgemental information and advice about crime and criminality. What makes this site different is they also provide you with a safe place to give information to us about crime – 100% anonymously.

Fearless are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – 365 days a year for you.

It’s important to remember that Fearless are not a replacement for the emergency services so our advice, if something is happening that needs immediate action – ring 999.

Town Centre Safety and Young People

Town centre safety and young people – Recognising and responding to situations to stay safe while visiting a town centre.

Somerset remains a safe place to live, but like many areas of the UK , there are locations that experience higher levels of concerns around violence. These are sometimes known as hotspots. Most violence in these areas will involve adults. Incidents affecting young people in Somerset remain comparatively low, but it is important to take steps to improve safeguarding and reduce the risk of harm.

Somerset and Knife Crime

Somerset and Knife Crime – If you have information about knife crime in your area and you are nervous about going to the police, phone Crimestoppers.

Somerset remains a safe place to live and knife crime offences are relatively low, representing less than 5% of recorded serious violent crimes. When incidents do occur they are most likely to involve adults and can occur in the home as well as in the community.

Knife crime includes:
– carrying a knife or trying to buy one if you are under 18
– threatening someone with a knife
-carrying a knife that is banned
– a murder where the victim was stabbed with a knife
– a robbery or burglary where a thief carried a knife as a weapon

Violence Against Women and Girls

Safer Streets Awareness – Nobody should be scared to walk the streets alone

Where can you make a report about a public place where you have felt unsafe?
StreetSafe StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk)
This is a pilot service for anyone to anonymously tell us about public places where you have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, eg being followed or verbally abused.

Help and support is also available at Somerset and Avon rape and sexual abuse support (SARSAS). Call 0808 801 0456 or 0808 801 0464 Mon and Fri: 11am – 2pm, Tue, Wed and Thu: 6pm – 8pm or people can access online chat via sarsas.org.uk and E-support by emailing support@sarsas.org.uk

Tackling knife crime requires a collective effort – schools, families, communities, and policymakers all have a role to play in creating safer environments.

Here is how you can get involved:

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