While the overall figures for murder with a knife has fallen by 13%, teenagers remain disproportionately affected by knife crime attacks than any other age group.
“The persistently high figures for fatal stabbings and the rise of figures from ten years ago is truly heart-breaking. Lets not forget that those figures represent real people and real lives unnecessarily lost, leaving families devastated and communities torn apart” CEO Patrick Green THE BEN KINSELLA TRUST
We all have a part to play in fighting, preventing and reducing knife crime.
If you know or suspect someone is carrying a knife, please report it immediately before it is too late.
If you're worried a young person is at risk or is involved in violence, help and support is available.
Crimestoppers also have a dedicated website which enables 11 - 17 years olds to pass on information anonymously. This can be accessed through Fearless.org In an emergency, always dial 999
Parents/Guardians Identifying knife crime - what to look out for.
A change in their behaviour at home or school.
Items missing from your home that could be used for a weapon.
Being secretive or protective over certain personal belongings.
Being secretive about who is messaging or calling them on their mobile phones.
A new group of friends that they don't want you to meet.
They have come home with new items that they can't afford to purchase such as clothing and mobile phones etc and are reluctant to explain where they've come from.
Stopped taking part in activities that they used to enjoy.
They have stopped engaging with you and other family members.
It's important to highlight that many of these signs could simply be due to teenage challenges such as exam pressure, relationships. other stressful issues or just part of growing up. However, they could be an indication that they are being groomed or are involved with gangs or violence.
What you can do.
Have an understanding of where they are and who they're with.
Monitor online purchases arriving at your home.
KEEP A TRACK ON HOW MANY KNIVES YOU HAVE AT HOME.
Consider searching their room or belongings such as bags, or potential hiding places in your home.
Monitor their use of social media and know what they're doing whilst they are online.
Encourage them to meet and hang out with their friends in safe areas.
Advice to parents. We're encouraging parents, guardians and extended family members to talk to your young family members about knife crime as you can play a vital role in preventing them from becoming involved with knife crime. We advise you to try to talk to them openly about the dangers as well as the life-changing consequences that come from carrying a knife.
Establish the most appropriate time and setting to have an open conversation about knife crime.
Be aware that they may be reluctant to talk to you about knife crime so reassure them that they can be honest with you.
Encourage them to share their fears and worries.
Highlight that the vast majority of young people don't carry a knife.
Explain that knives don't give protection.
Encourage them to consider who'd they be affecting if they get involved in knife crime and the consequences that can come from it.
Ask them to look out for their friends.
Advise them to tell a trusted adult such as a parent, family member or teacher.
If they are worried that someone will find out, you can report their concerns anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
During a conversation about knife crime with your child, you may hear some upsetting and concerning things about what they, and even their friends may be involved in, but try not to get upset or overreact. You don't have to deal with this on your own. Help is available via Crimestoppers or the Fearless website.
GMP's commitment to tackling knife crime remains a priority and continue to take a community-led approach, working alongside partners in the Greater Manchester, Manchester Violence Reduction Unit to identify those involved, address the root causes, educate our communities, provide preventative advice and ensure those carrying and using weapons will be brought to justice.
June sees us enter the Month of Community, a time where we all come together and celebrate what makes our communities great.
During the first week of June we also celebrate Neighbourhood Watch week , which this year is themed "Local efforts, big impact" Neighbourhood Watch Network is hoping to get as many schemes as possible across the country taking part in the celebrations and would like to share your stories. It could be a local litter pick (equipment available from Bolton Council), sprucing up a communal area, or just visiting those in the community who are vulnerable or lonely, saying hello and giving 5 minutes of time to chat can make all the difference in their lives (see The Marmalade Trust website). You could even organise informal picnics in your gardens as part of The Big Lunch and invite your neighbours to take part.
Whatever you're doing let us know, send us pictures of your events and we will share them with the Neighbourhood Watch Network who may include them in their national coverage.
It's that time of year, when we ask for your time to fill in our annual Insights Survey 2024 and share your anonymous feedback with us. The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete, and will be invaluable in helping us understand what our supporters, members and volunteers enjoy about being part of Neighbourhood Watch, and how we can continue to improve the way we support our members and volunteers.
This survey is anonymous, and so we encourage your honest and constructive feedback. At the end, you can opt-in to a prize draw to win one of four £25 Amazon vouchers, if you wish.
The Insights Survey will close on Friday 3rd May 2024. Thank you in advance for your helpful feedback!
If you have been struggling to access Bee In The Loop, Greater Manchester Polices messaging service it may be because you are already registered with Neighbourhood Alert through Neighbourhood Watch.
Neighbourhood Watch and Bee In The Loop share the same platform (Neighbourhood Alert) to send their messages. If you are already a Neighbourhood Watch member, you can opt in to receiving messages from Bee In The Loop by selecting The Police as one of your information providers (accessible via your account details page). Similarly if you are registered through Bee In The Loop, you can opt in to receive message from Neighbourhood Watch. Messages are sent directly to your email inbox from alert@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk or can be read by accessing your account through an internet browser. In most cases you can reply directly to the sender (giving you access to your local policing team), rate the message and forward to your networks on social media, instant messaging or email through either the links at the bottom of the mail or the buttons in your account inbox.
You will also be able to see and join the schemes near to your registered address so that the scheme coordinator can keep you updated with what is happening in your community. Just follow the link in the Neighbourhood Watch Tools tab.
If you are a member of your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme but not registered with Neighbourhood Alert to receive messages, contact you local coordinator and ask them to add you to the scheme membership through their access to the scheme management page. Some coordinators will already have sent invitations to their members, please check you spam folder and add @neighbourhoodalert.co.uk to your safe senders list. This should prevent future messages from Neighbourhood Watch and Bee In The Loop (plus other information providers you select) being missed.
If you cannot contact your local scheme coordinator or you are not in a scheme area, please send us a message boltonboroughnwa@outlook.com and we will help you out, or click one of the images below register directly. The Neighbourhood Alert messaging service, as is membership of Neighbourhood Watch, is FREE and you control who you receive messages from. No one from Neighbourhood Watch, Bee In The Loop or Neighbourhood Alert will ever contact you directly asking for payment for the service.
After registering please check your email for the verification email to access your account.
