PC Zena Hands delivers knife crime project to pupils at Busill Jones Primary School in Bloxwich

Pupils have already received a valuable session with PC Hands, where they explored the dangers of carrying knives. The workshop sessions are run in a way which enforces the message about knife crime but is delivered sensitively.

When asked why they think some young people might carry knives, the children shared that it’s often for a sense of protection or to appear "cool."

Together, PC Hands and the children had an in-depth discussion about how they can keep themselves and others safe if they ever encounter someone with a knife or find one discarded in the street.

If the project is successful it will be rolled out to other primary schools in the Walsall borough.

PC Hands said: “Both Mrs Tolley and myself are very passionate about the prevention of knife crime in our communities and we believe the best place to start is early intervention into primary schools.

“Our aim is to educate children at a young age about the dangers of carrying knives, laws surrounding them and the potential consequences of their misuse.

“We need to change attitudes and discourage children from carrying knives for self protection or other reasons, emphasising the dangers and the fact it is also against the law.

“By empowering the children with knowledge it helps to equip them to cope in challenging situations they face and to make sound decisions.

“We invited parents into the school to discuss the project with them. The parents told us they felt the importance of educating their children at primary school age and empowering them to make good choices as they move to secondary school.

“The sessions are impactful but we are delivering them in a sensitive way. So far we have had some really good discussions with the children and they are responding well to the topic.

“Our goal is to roll the project out to all Walsall primary schools.”

For more information about how we are tackling knife crime go to Home - Life Or Knife - The choice is yours (west-midlands.police.uk)