Campaign urges schools, clubs and communities to help protect young people

A NEW national pledge to tackle knife crime has been launched as police forces, schools and community groups across Wales prepare for a week of action focused on youth safety.

Knife Crime Awareness Week runs from Monday, May 18 to Sunday, May 24, alongside the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Sceptre Week.

The campaign, led by the Ben Kinsella Trust, calls on schools, youth groups, sports clubs, faith organisations, businesses and trusted adults to speak openly with young people about the dangers of carrying knives.

The issue comes at a time when communities across Wales are already debating youth safety, policing and violence prevention, following recent protests, public safety incidents and growing concern about the pressures facing young people.

Dyfed-Powys Police has previously used Sceptre Week to promote knife surrender schemes, community engagement and education work across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys.

The new pledge asks organisations and individuals to challenge harmful myths, promote non-violent choices and make sure young people know where to find help before situations escalate.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: “For me, Knife Crime Awareness Week is about bringing people together to protect young people and stop violence before it starts.

“That commitment sits at the heart of this government’s Halving Knife Crime Plan — saving lives, transforming the futures of young people and protecting communities across the country.

“Knife crime is down by 10 per cent since the start of this government and knife-enabled homicides are at their lowest levels in a decade, but I know more needs to be done.

“Trusted adults play a vital role in guiding young people and challenging harmful myths, and I thank the Ben Kinsella Trust, police, educators and community groups for their tireless work to keep children and communities safe.”

Brooke Kinsella MBE, Ben Kinsella’s sister and co-founder of the Trust, said: “Knife Crime Awareness Week is always a deeply personal and emotional time for me and my family.

“Nearly two decades on from losing my brother Ben, the pain of his absence has not lessened, but neither has our determination to create change in his name.

“This week is a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community left grieving.

“We must never become numb to that reality. Every young person lost to knife crime is someone’s son, daughter, sibling, or friend and every loss is preventable.

“Knife Crime Awareness Week is not just about reflection; it is about action. This week, I urge everyone to join me and take the Knife Crime Awareness Week pledge and to be part of the solution.”

Stephen Clayman, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, said partnership working was key to tackling the problem.

He said police forces would be carrying out surrender schemes, engagement events, specialist patrols and education work during Sceptre Week.

He added: “Knife crime is not inevitable, and Sceptre Week is the time to highlight, celebrate and learn from that work so that together we can help reduce it.”

Patrick Green, chief executive of the Ben Kinsella Trust, said: “Knife Crime Awareness Week is about far more than awareness raising or messaging, it is about meaningful action, shared responsibility and long-term collaboration.

“Our message this Knife Crime Awareness Week is clear, everyone has a role to play in preventing knife crime and protecting young lives.”

The Ben Kinsella Trust was established in 2008 following the murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella. The charity works with schools, parents, carers, youth workers, police and policymakers to prevent knife crime through education and campaigning.