Regional efforts targeting youth knife crime are celebrated
Thursday 29 May 2025
The recent Knife Crime Awareness campaign, 19 - 25 May, celebrated the vital collective work which addresses this persistent and complex issue across the county borough and wider.
Youth Justice Services from Bridgend County Borough Council and Cwm Taf, alongside South Wales Police, have worked collaboratively to target knife crime and promote violence prevention through educational workshops, volunteer contributions, as well as one-to-one violence prevention sessions where appropriate.
Volunteer John Davey has been instrumental in supporting the Serious Violence Prevention Scheme established by South Wales Police and the aforementioned Youth Justice Services (YJS). Alongside police officers PC Nigel Bird, PC Ian Watts, and PC Sally Lloyd, John Davey, a victim of knife crime himself, shares his story in schools across the region in a bid to educate pupils of the dangers and serious consequences of knife crime.
"The knife crime talks delivered by YJS in partnership with Mr. John Davey, have made a significant impact in schools across Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil County Boroughs. “The sessions have truly engaged the children, who have asked insightful questions and shown genuine empathy towards John's personal story. These talks have complemented Knife Crime Awareness Week perfectly, and we look forward to continuing this important program in the future."
“Our work with schools is absolutely invaluable in terms of educating children and young people, and reducing knife related offending in the longer term.” Many children in the youth justice system have complex needs, including those stemming from trauma. Bridgend County Borough Council has been at the forefront of addressing trauma-related violence through an innovative scheme, the Relationship Building Together Project. This centres on understanding how trauma can affect a child’s development and accommodating for their needs with the selected approach. This type of trauma work can help to reduce the root causes of violence demonstrated by children. With recent youth justice statistics from across England and Wales revealing the sixth consecutive year-on-year decrease of knife or offensive weapon offences committed by children, it appears that strategies are effective".
“The most successful way to stamp out knife crime amongst our youths is through partnership working. Councils, charities, police forces, youth professionals, parents, carers, and individuals working together can make a tangible difference in the lives of young people every day. “We are extremely proud of our collaboration with Cwm Taf and South Wales Police, the multifaceted approach adopted to prevent knife crime across the region aims to foster safer communities for our youths. “We have received positive feedback from a range of sources about the programmes delivered and we continue to make strides in addressing this serious issue.”