Coventry students learn about the consequences of knife crime
March 13, 2023

Coventry students learn about the consequences of knife crime

Please note: This article was published on March 13, 2023 and may contain information that is no longer current or up to date.
Students taking part in precious lives workshop

Coventry College students took part in a series of eye-opening workshops about the consequences of knife crime.

People who had been both victims and perpetrators of knife crime shared their tales with Public Services students at Coventry College in an attempt to help them understand the dangers knives posed.

The Precious Lives project has been running since 2010 and has been set up to highlight the lasting impact decisions – made in the heat of the moment – could have on lives.

Sessions are held in small groups with youngsters taught about the ‘stop and search’ protocols used by West Midlands Police, including young people’s rights if they are stopped, along with how searches are conducted.

The project is funded by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and has reached over 70,000 school pupils and young people across the West Midlands since 2019.

Mr Foster said:

“It’s pleasing to see so many of our young people are getting the message, that car­rying a knife can have catastroph­ic and devastating consequences for young people, their families, friends and the local community.

“If you carry a knife you’re much more likely to become a victim of knife crime and it’s important young people understand that.”