Kids 'Knife Crime' Fear

9 April 2010, 07:37 | Updated: 9 April 2010, 07:42

The fear of knife crime is the biggest worry for children in Dorset.

That's what came out of a big survey of kids aged between 8 and 19, despite Dorset having the lowest rate of knife crime in the UK, with 38 reported crimes last year.

Drugs and bullying are two other big issues they are concerned about.

In response, the Safe Schools and Communities Team has worked to extend provision of its tried and tested education services aimed at tackling these issues.

Projects include:

Bullying – assemblies and lessons on bullying and cyber-bullying; Restorative Justice conferences bringing together the wrong-doer and victim to deal with bullying; and cyber-bullying conferences aimed at children in Year Six and upwards.

Alcohol – Blitz/Last Orders alcohol education presentations, performances and workshops delivered in schools by the SSCT, their partners and officers from local Safer Neighbourhood Teams; and Alcohol and the Law presentations delivered to targeted groups.

Drugs – in association with the delivery of Gemma’s Wardrobe (Solomon Associates’ drugs education performance) the SSCT deliver a Drugs and the Law workshop; this workshop can also be delivered to targeted groups.

Fear of crime – Gaining Respect in People (GRIP) roadshow educating young people on the effects and consequences of anti-social behaviour to themselves and the community, which also includes an offensive weapons workshop; and Firearms and Knife Education (FAKE) presentations being delivered in schools by the SSCT and Dorset Police’s Tactical Firearms Unit.

Safe Schools and Communities Co-ordinator, Gary Evans, said: "The Safe Schools and Communities Team works to identify, listen to and tackle the issues affecting Dorset’s young people.

"The recent surveys carried out in schools have helped us to target our projects, to see which ones are working and which need to be further developed."

For more information on Safer Neighbourhood Teams call 01202 or 01305 222 222, or by visiting the Local Policing pages at www.dorset.police.uk.