KnifeCrimes.Org are really proud to announce, that this Summer our education programme will be channelled through Westley's Weapons Awareness and our new website www.Binit.Org

Binit.Org is the new education programme by KnifeCrimes.Org which will be rolled out to Schools and Young Peoples' Organisations.  We ask all teachers, group leaders, parents, friends and family to ask the young people to design their own unique printable art work, using a positive view on how Knife, Gun and Violent Crime is affecting their lives, and that of their communities.

We ask all young artistic, computer users or groups, to upload their designs to our 'Voting Section' and have their design chosen to be printed on our Summer 2012 designer clothing range.  You can even run your class...End of Term Competition 'online' and have your design voted on by your friends and family over the Summer Holidays.  We then take that most voted 'winning' design and print it on 'Limited Edition' Sports, Festival, Street or Club wear.  All profit sales from this clothing go back in to our preventative education programmes and helping people that have been affected by Knife, Gun...Violent Crime or bereaved through Murder and Manslaughter.

To assist you with your lesson plan, we ask you to download the *FREE* Binit.Org School Pack...to help you address the issue in a positive and cool way, using art and young imagination.

We are pretty much the same as you!  We feel violent youth crime can be prevented and that those who carry and use Knives and Guns on our streets must be deterred.  We believe that education in Schools is the best weapon against crime!  Even if you do not want to design your own garment, you can do your bit too, by purchasing one of our bespoke clothing designs, each one designed by an aspiring young artist, aged between 7 & 21 years old.  Each garment carrying a strong highly collectable design, which is both stylish and thought provoking...the best bit is, that any profits are used by KnifeCrimes.Org for ongoing family support and education programmes.

'2 Smart' is the Essex Police Award winning project that in 2008 expanded it's programme to cover Alcohol, Drugs, Bullying and Knives.  The project was previously known as '2 Smart 4 Drugs' but in recognition of growing crime trends and keeping pace with young peoples education needs, the project expanded to encompass the foregoing key issues.

KnifeCrimes.Org is pleased to be involved in this project which includes 'Westley's Weapons Awareness' and Safer Schools Officers' follow up work in Schools, along with other partner agencies and local authorities.  The aim is to deliver powerful messages to reduce alcohol and drug misuse, raising awareness to the long term hazards that can often lead to crime and violent behaviour.  Supported by Community Safety Partnerships, Drug & Alcohol Action Teams and others...   

The project has a dedicated website

'2 Smart' is rolled out across the entire County of Essex including Southend and Thurrock unitary areas.  In excess of 80% equating to 15,000 year 7 School Pupils aged 11-12 years old attended the 2008 Roadshows, forming part of their Personal, Social and Health Education Programme at School in the curriculum.  Every School, Pupil Referral Unit, Excluded and Special Needs Pupils are invited, including young people working with Youth Offending Teams and some Home Educators.  Each year the '2 Smart Roadshow' is honed and improved to provide the best recipe of 90 minutes of lively, engaging and interactive education which in 2009 reached in excess of 17,000 year 7's.  It combined an interesting mix of music, dance, comedy, theatre and role model depiction to educate 11-12 year olds around the County of Essex.  The key use of theatre in education, role models and positive peer work engages young minds.  The 2011 '2 Smart' Programme which is a lead Essex Police project is now in it's 15th year...this exciting Roadshow can be picked up and taken anywhere in the United Kingdom.  In this respect welcome enquiries from other interested Police Forces and/or Agencies to info@KnifeCrimes.Org or contact '2 Smart' direct.  The 2011 Roadshow Dates are listed on the 'Events' page...the '2Smart4 Knives' dedicated page:  www.2smart.co.uk/knives  

Video's of 2Smart Roadshows...check out the views of the Young People that have seen the shows!  Get a glimpse of the educational interactive fun of the 2010 Shows: www.2Smart.co.uk/roadshow/videos.php  

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN (IDHTH)...is a National Anti-Knife Crime Campaign,  which has a range of free resources and information materials available for you to use in your

local anti-knife crime activities.  The IDHTH resource material is suitable for peer-to-peer activities for 10-16 year olds and projects with a focus on tackling 'Knife Crime!' By clicking on the 'IDHTH Logo' it will take you through to our resources page, where you can access and download information to help with your local campaign.         COUNT ME IN...TOGETHER WE CAN STOP KNIFE CRIME!  CARRYING A KNIFE TAKES AWAY CHOICES.  DON'T LET SOMEONE ELSE TAKE AWAY YOUR CHOICE.  Latest 'Anti-Knife Crime' Campaign, building on existing campaigns.  Full information on 'Children & Young People's Resources' page.   REPREZENT YOUTH RADIO...Listen to Ann Oakes-Odger, Anna Twomlow of Victim Support, Stephanie East of GATES, Jon & Frank speak about 'Crime & Territory' www.reprezent.org.uk/index.php/shows/listen/show/423   NICK FARRARI - LBC RADIO...After two police officers were stabbed during a routine bus ticket check in Ealing, Nick Ferrari is asking whether we should be arming our police. He spoke to Sky's crime reporter Martin Brunt, Deputy Mayor in charge of Policing Kit Malthouse and Ann Oakes-Odger, whose son Westley was murdered in an unprovoked knife attack:  www.lbc.co.uk/page-33933

Launched following the very successful Knife Crime Forum run by the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds at which Ann Oakes-Odger was a guest speaker and later commented...

Guns - Knives - Gangs - Crews

Mix drugs into the above as the main ingredient and you have the complete 'violent cocktail'. Gun crime, knife crime dead children, read the following article on Guns, Knives, Gangs and Crews...

Need Help?  Visit our 'Bereaved Resource'...
Read the bereaved families resource now...

Tragic Mother Melanie Hopwood - Accused 'Acquitted! 
Grieving mother Melanie Hopwood's son, Tommy Jones was murdered in Beckton.  After the Trial was Adjourned the family later felt another layer of pain at the shock 'Acquittal' of the accused...

Full article on trial delay...

There must be no "Soft Options".
What does it feel like to lose a child to a knife murder?

"Without reservation ‘Violent Offenders’ need a harsh lesson when being sentenced, to send out a clear message in order to curb the current knife culture". - Ann Oakes-Odger

Read more on no "soft options".