Areas covered in the Be Safe programme include:-
- The History of the Knife
- Weapons & Self Defence
- The Medical implications of using a Weapon
- The Law
- Social Implications
- Revenge & Reprisals
- Firearms
Workshops for Schools, Youth Groups, young offenders via Youth Offending Teams…hosting presentations for parents and teachers, so they are aware of the input their children will be receiving. The programme was originally designed to deal with offenders only, but it soon became apparent that if many of these young people had been provided with the information about the consequences of carrying a ‘Knife’ then they would never have entered the Criminal Justice System. The project is now part of preventative, restorative justice and reparation measures provided in Schools, Youth Groups and Associated Organisations.
Be Safe Workshop:
Following an evaluation by Newham Youth Offending Team of 1000 young offenders who revealed they were habitual knife carriers…then attended the Be Safe Workshop. Of those, only 8.5% re-offended and only 1.75% were found in possession of a knife. The delivery of the harsh realities of what can happen when carrying a knife (often ‘street-termed’…blades, chiv, chive, shiv, or shank) and in legal terms an ‘Offensive Weapon’. During the School sessions a large number of school-children admitted to carrying knives for ’so called’ self-defence! Government research indicates that more than 30% of youngsters Nationwide carry knives!
Be Safe…delivers a talk that allows the young person to question ‘why they carry a knife’…the short and long term repercussions of carrying them. The cycle of revenge and reprisal attacks, the drastic effects on families as a result of serious injury or worse, a persons death. These realities are explained in an understandable way along with the medical implications of when someone is stabbed! Following this in-depth education…they are given choice, informed choices to make them think about the consequences.
The ‘Weapons Awareness’ sessions are called ‘Knife Talk’ A qualified, licensed project - recognised by the Home Office. Be Safe is ACPO Accredited.
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During the many Train the Trainer Sessions attended...I've had the pleasure of meeting people from all walks of life. Police Officers, Youth Offending Team Representatives, Ex-offenders...in fact, people from different Agencies from all around the United Kingdom. All have one thing in common...they are all looking to keep young people from going down the wrong road, and those at 'risk of offending' or 'in the system' - a desire to get them back on track!
Whatever the reason for attending the Be Safe - Train the Trainer Course...Preventative Education, Restorative Justice or working with young people socially...perhaps in Youth Clubs or in a School, it is clear that everyone has a keen interest in ensuring that the young people of today, have the best information for tomorrow's healthy, productive life choices! During the training sessions it is usual for people [who have never met before coming on the course] to pair up, devise and perform a 'role-play' piece of drama...these pieces of work are innovative but, sadly once performed, usually never seen again!
During the early part of 2009 the course participants saw a piece performed by Laura Walsh, who came from Liverpool to Chelmsford [Essex] for the Train the Trainer Course. Laura devised and performed her piece at the training session called 'No Respect'...a great piece that was recently sent to KnifeCrimes.Org on a video. We believe this perfectly illustrates a quality of work that we would like to share with visitors to the site....please view this footage. It's a powerful entertaining piece about youth culture in some areas of today's Society. Focusing on anti-social behaviour and offering an alternative path to a life of crime and deprevation...it was recently aired on BBC Radio Merseyside:-
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8tLd0XWYm4
The 'Be Safe Workshops, originated in the London Borough of Newham in 1998...the brainchild of David Morris, Kevin Everard and John Harding. Working as Police Officers they had noticed a marked increase in the number of young people carrying and using 'Knives' on the Street.
Having left the Police to start their own Personal Safety Consultancy...Kevin & David devised the first 'Weapons Awareness Sessions'...called 'Knife Talk'. This was in response to concerns from the local Magistrates about the number of Young Offenders that were armed.
Kevin Everard
Dave Morris
Bob Goldsmith, one of Be Safe's Senior Trainers, working with a group in Newham.
Young People are asked to look at some of the effects of real life violence on the Human Body.
For Further information email: info@KnifeCrimes.Org
E. & O.E.