Knives what you need to know Compass School

Knives – what you need to know Compass School Southwark July 2019

Dangerous weapons are not just knives – think carefully about anything you bring into school

Any form of weapon or blade will be immediately seized. The police will be called and if we feel there is a risk to someone else, you will be arrested

LONDON NEEDS YOU ALIVE! • Don’t carry a knife or other weapon • 7 out of 10 people who end up in A & E with a knife wound have actually been stabbed with their own knife. • Don’t be a Hero – your family and friends want you alive!

How many stabbings were there in London in 2018? • Figures from London's Metropolitan police showed that knife crime surged by 16 per cent in the capital year-on-year in 2018, as Britain's crime epidemic continues. • There were 1, 299 stabbings in London up to the end of April, according to official statistics from the Met Police. • In 2017 -18, there were 137 knife offences for every 100, 000 people in the capital. • 2018 was London’s bloodiest year in almost a decade as the murder toll reached 134.

Legal consequences Carrying a knife can mean four years in prison, even if you don't use it. You can get a criminal record just for carrying a knife. Carrying an offensive weapon, like a knife, is a serious offence and carrying it for self-protection is not a defence.

We will refer anyone found with a blade or weapon in school to the police. This can then lead to a YOT referral, crime being reported or a conviction.

Fact! • 99% of young people aged 10– 29 don’t carry a knife. • People who carry a weapon are more likely to be hospitalised with an injury caused by violence. • There is no ‘safe place’ to stab someone – any stab can be fatal – and the consequences will be just as severe.

This message is for all of you, although we know that 99% of you are trying to keep yourself safe It is important that you hear this and think carefully about the decisions you are then going to make Whatever action you chose – it will have a consequence.

You don’t have to carry a knife to look cool – there are so many better ways to look cool. What are they for you?

Fact! • Carrying a knife doesn’t just have an impact on you; it can affect your family and friends too. • No parent or grandparent would ever want to see their child get injured, go to prison or be killed. • It will also impact on your brothers or sisters, if carrying a knife leads you to having serious injuries or losing your life.

We can all do this…can’t we?

That by carrying a knife, you: • Have false sense of security. • Could be increasing the risk of getting stabbed or injured. • Having a weapon/blade or point in School leads to a Permanent Exclusion • Are breaking the law. That not carrying, and walking away from confrontation: • Is the smart thing to do. • Is the safer thing to do. • Is the stronger thing to do.

What are we as a school doing? • Working with the MET Police on stop and search and education about staying safe • Running a parent drop in session with the police at 3. 30 pm on Thursday 11 th July at school • Introducing wand bag searches each term – you wont know when they are occurring. • Working with local churches and community groups on projects • Providing a forum for Staff & students to share their experiences and talk with support in place • Working with the local authority safe guarding leads to keep you safe • Maintaining a zero tolerance policy towards anyone deciding to bring a blade or weapon into school

What can you do? • Don’t carry a weapon • Don’t step in to help – get yourself away from the situation as soon as possible • Learn first aid • Report any concerns through fearless or speak to a member of the safeguarding or pastoral team, or schools police team for advice • Make good choices about what you do and who you hang around with in your free time • THINK about your FAMILY & FRIENDS and the consequences your choices have for them - ALWAYS