Sandyford and Goldenhill

Knife crime is a serious issue that affects individuals, families, and communities. Most young people will never be involved in knife crime, but it’s important to know how to stay safe, make positive choices, and support your friends.
Why This Matters
Carrying a knife does not protect you — it increases your risk of harm.
Even having a knife “for protection” is illegal and can lead to serious consequences.
Your safety and wellbeing are always the number one priority.
Stay Safe – Smart Choices
✔️ Walk away from trouble
If you feel unsafe, move away calmly and go somewhere public or towards trusted adults.
✔️ Stick with friends
There’s safety in numbers — avoid walking alone, especially at night or in unfamiliar areas.
✔️ Think before acting
A single decision can have a lasting impact on your future — stay in control.
✔️ Speak to someone you trust
If you’re worried about your safety, or someone you know is involved with weapons, talk to a:
Parent or guardian / Teacher or mentor / School safeguarding lead / Youth worker / Police officer
If You Feel Worried
You are never alone. Asking for help is strong, not weak. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, it’s important to speak up.
In an emergency, always call 999.
Remember
Carrying a knife puts you, your friends, and your future at risk.
Your best protection is smart decisions, awareness, and seeking support.

Advice for parent and carers

What are the signs to look out for?

When someone becomes involved with knife crime or drugs they often change their behaviour. As a parent or carer, it is important to know what to look for. Common warning signals may indicate a young person is involved in something untoward, such as if they:

• become withdrawn from family and school
• change their behaviour and/or are skipping school
• have lost interest in hobbies and old friends, and now hang around with a new group, staying out late
• they’re vague about where they’re going or where they’ve been
• become secretive and defensive easily, particularly about what’s in their bag and might even have told you that they need to carry a knife for protection
• take kitchen knives from home, hiding them in their bag or coat.

What are the consequences?

More often than not, people carry knives or weapons because they think other people are and that the knife or weapon will provide protection. However, statistics show that 99 per cent of young people don’t carry knives and carrying a knife means you’re more likely to end up getting hurt. It could mean an argument escalating to a point of life or death.

Please explain to your child that the consequences of carrying a knife include:

• Being arrested – police can stop and search someone if they believe a weapon is being carried
• Prosecution – regardless of whether your child says it was for their own protection or they were carrying it for someone else
• Prison – sentences of up to four years are given for possession of a knife OR if you stab someone and they die then a life sentence means 25 years inside
• A criminal record – this can stop them getting in to college, university, getting a job or travelling to countries like the USA or Australia
• Death – they could get seriously injured or even killed

Stay safe. Look out for each other. Your life, your choices, your future.