Westley's Weapons Awareness..."Knives or Lives? You Decide!"
Educating young people about the implications of becoming involved in carrying weapons. Knife/Gun Crime and other issues, such as using Drugs, Alcohol and becoming influenced by Street Gangs. Informing Youth of how the foregoing areas may lead to a 'life of crime' and what a 'Criminal Record' means in career and travel terms. The dangers and life altering events that can occur through carrying weapons that can so often result in serious injury or loss of life!
Westley's Weapons Awareness is an initiative designed to be delivered to Schools, Clubs and Youth Community Groups, working in partnership with Parents, Local Authorities, Safer Schools Police Officers, Essex Police and other Police Forces throughout the UK. Youth Offending Teams, Courts and Probation as well as the Voluntary Sector. The Reduction of Crime by integrating the 'Be Safe' Programme to:-
a) Educate and engage Young People...
b) Challenge Youth views to avoid Anti-Social Behaviour and Crime...
c) Offer Support to Victims of Bullying and/or Violent Crime...
d) Promote a Safer Community and encourage responsible citizenship...
Westley's Weapons Awareness 'Knives or Lives?...You Decide!' Campaign is featured in the 2008 2 Smart Roadshow, Childrens Programme and Teachers' Workbook. Also drawings Westley drew in his Year 7 Senior School, form part of the Education Programme and Competition. Email: ann@KnifeCrimes.org
During the past year 'Westley's Weapons Awareness' has been delivered by Ann Oakes-Odger in many Schools around Essex and other areas in the UK. Recently, following the tragic murder of School Boy Ben Kinsella on the 29th June, 2008 in Islington, Nth London...KnifeCrimes.org was joined by Ben's relatives and Essex Police at two Essex Schools. Kerry, Jilly-May and Danny Kinsella who all live in Essex joined in for part of the all day 'Youth Engagement' events which took place at Thomas Lord Audley School in Colchester and Colbayns School in Clacton.
A presentation was also given to every School year over a 2 day period the previous week at the St. John's CE School in Epping.