A Simple Truth
Probably the most insidious rise in crime has been that of knife crime. Knife crime affects individuals, families, communities and society in general. It is too easy to apportion blame. Perhaps the best way to address this problem is to start from where we are.
The simple fact is that there are many individuals who currently carry knives, emboldened by the lack of boots on the ground policing. The Police are under tremendous financial pressures and the lack of the stop and search deterrent gives those who carry knives the statistical advantage.
What Can We Do to Prevent Knife Crime?
Gangster films, peer pressure, social media bullying, copy-cat behaviour. The simple fact is we must convince those carrying knives to consider the consequences. To engender an empathy with the victims of knife crime is a good start. To understand the underlying thoughts that lead to someone carrying a knife is vital. It is not always the same.
Changing behaviour is not a simple as it may sound. Using “shock-tactics” might work in the short-term but we believe it is vital to look at permanent solutions to rid our society of the cancer of knife crime.
The MALS Merseyside Knife Crime Prevention Initiative
At MALS Merseyside we look at both prevention and cure. We go into schools and give a presentation of the effects of knife crime. The children are captivated by the speakers who themselves were drawn into the knife crime culture. By raising awareness through this testimony and telling these young people how the victims were affected, it is hoped that these young people will say no to carrying a knife in the first place.
For those who need a bit more help and have already committed offences. We provide an in-reach service in to the prisons as part of the Life Change Programme course to get the offenders through introspection identify the root cause of their actions and then hopefully change their behaviour. We have had a lot of success in this.
Finally, we provide courses at our facilities at 10 Victoria Place in Prescot. We can provide one to one mentoring or group sessions. Whatever the reasons for carrying a knife, we hope through our interventions to prevent or change behaviours and help prevent knife crime.
For more information please contact us.
Leave a Comment