Tackling Knife Crime: A Day of Education and Awareness

At Thames Valley Police (TVP), knife crime is one of our top priorities. To prevent and reduce knife crime in our communities, we are working hard to educate and engage with young people, raise awareness, and provide vital support. As part of these efforts, the TVP Problem Solving Team, led by PC Imran, organised a Knife Crime Awareness Day at Langley College on 18th March this year. This event aimed to educate students about the serious dangers of knife crime and provide them with the knowledge and skills to avoid getting involved.

About the day

Over 250 students attended the event where they took part in various activities designed to help them understand the risks of knife crime and how to stay safe. The event was a collaboration between TVP and Slough Youth Action, who have been working together since 2024 to find new ways to tackle the rising issue of knife crime in Slough.

The event featured five interactive sessions, each aimed at equipping students with essential skills and knowledge. The students were divided into five groups and rotated around each session, ensuring every student visited each one.

At the first session, Umar Ansari shared a deeply emotional story about losing his son to knife crime in 2022. His personal account helped students understand the real-life impact of knife crime, showing how it affects families and communities. Imam Bilal Asif also spoke, offering insights into the pain caused by knife crime from the perspective of the victim’s friends and family.

At the second session, PC Imran and the Slough Problem Solving Team delivered vital information on the laws surrounding knife crime and knife possession. They explained the serious consequences of carrying a weapon and shared their personal experiences, including being first on the scene at several stabbings and murders in Slough.

The third session was led by Slough Youth Action, where students were tasked with creating a social media campaign to raise awareness about knife crime. This activity engaged students creatively while teaching them how they can use their voices and online platforms to spread important messages about safety.

At sessions four and five, Dr Hussain Mahmood from Slough Youth Action, along with a team of nine doctors and nurses from Wexham Park Hospital, provided essential training in basic life support and how to use a bleed kit to help someone injured in a stabbing. This hands-on training gave students the tools to respond in emergency situations and potentially save lives.

The feedback from students and staff was extremely positive as students found the day both informative and engaging, with many commenting on how much they had learned about the dangers of knife crime. The college also noted that the event was an important and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

The next steps in the campaign include continuing to work with Slough Youth Action to further raise awareness and equip the community with the skills to prevent knife crime. As part of this ongoing effort, TVP has secured ten bleed kits, which will soon be installed in key locations across Slough to provide immediate assistance in case of emergencies.

Other Activities in Slough

As part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about knife crime, PC Abbi and PCSO Danyal from our Slough Neighbourhood Team organised a community football event on Saturday, 5th April. A team representing TVP Slough participated in the event, using sport as a way to raise awareness and engage with the local community. While we won’t mention the score (let’s just say the TVP team didn’t quite come out on top!), it was all in good fun and a fantastic way to bring everyone together.

Through continued collaboration with local partners and the community, Thames Valley Police is dedicated to tackling knife crime and creating a safer environment for everyone.

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Our next Knife Crime Awareness event will take place on Friday, 26 April, at St Joseph’s Centre, Maidenhead. The event is organised by the Maidenhead Central Neighbourhood Team, led by PCSO Jason in partnership with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) HERITAGE HUB. This event will focus on raising awareness about the dangers of knife crime and how we can work together to keep our communities safe. It’s open to everyone who wants to learn more and get involved. Click here to learn more