Hyper-targeted scheme to help at-risk schools in England tackle knife crime | Knife crime
Schools across England will receive special support to prevent knife crime under a hyper-targeted Home Office program that uses mapping technology to identify risk areas down to the level of specific street groups.
Up to 250 schools will receive aid under the £1.2 million programme, which is part of a series of initiatives launched as part of the government’s pledge to halve knife crime within ten years.
The security partnership in and around schools will use Home Office mapping technology to identify schools most in need of assistance; The ministry said it could identify areas where knife crime is most prevalent during students’ commutes to school.
The Home Office said it could identify areas of up to 0.1 square kilometres, or a small number of streets, which would allow police to prioritize specific places and times where knife crimes have occurred in the past.
Assistance will include educating school leaders about the risk of knife crime and supporting schools on measures to help child safety more generally. This may include mentoring students considered to be particularly at risk or using chaperones on school routes.
Of the 250 schools, the most intensive support will be targeted at 50 schools in areas with the highest levels of school-related knife crime. This help may include ensuring that vulnerable children have a trusted adult they can turn to.
The plan has been welcomed by charities tackling youth knife crime. Jon Yates, chief executive of the Youth Charity Fund, which works to tackle violence among young people, said: “We know what works to prevent knife crime: a trusted adult, someone to talk to, social and emotional support, opportunities such as sport.
“This government-supported program aims to bring this support to more of our school children.”
But shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized the plan, saying the government was creating risks for children by having too few police officers guarding schools.
He called on ministers to support Conservative plans for a major expansion of police stop and search operations.
Policing minister Sarah Jones said: “No child should be afraid to walk to school. That’s why we must stop violence from happening.”
“With the right support, the right opportunities and the right interventions in the right places, we can prevent a young person from harm long before they put themselves in danger.”
