A knife crime campaign has been brought to schools and colleges in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield, highlighting the dangers of carrying knives and how to get help.
The Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety Partnership - a group of organisations including Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hertfordshire County Council - organised information stalls at four schools.
Officers from the constabulary’s Children and Young People Team spoke to students at Stanborough School and Oaklands College in Welwyn GC, and Links Academy and Onslow St Audrey's School in Hatfield, promoting the Lives Not Knives campaign.
They were also joined by representatives from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.
The events formed part of Operation Sceptre - a national knife crime week of action, which ran from November 13 to 19.
Welwyn Hatfield Chief Inspector Kash Hussain said: "Empowering young people to make the right choices can have far-reaching consequences.
“Tackling knife crime is a priority in Welwyn Hatfield and Operation Sceptre gave us an opportunity to reaffirm that commitment to the public.
"We also carried out knife sweeps and had a knife bin at Hatfield Police Station, so that people could safely surrender any knives.
"If you, or someone you know, feels they are in a situation where they feel like carrying a knife is their only option please tell us anonymously or openly. Alternatively, encourage them to talk to someone about their situation and seek some help. That conversation could be all it takes to stop a tragic incident from occurring."
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Councillor Sandreni Bonfante, executive member for environment at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, added: "We’re proud to support the Lives Not Knives campaign and the efforts of the Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety Partnership to educate our young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.
"Knife crime is a serious issue that affects not only the victims and their families, but also the whole community.
"We want to create a safe and positive environment for our students, where they can learn, grow and achieve their potential.
"By working together with the police, schools, colleges and other partners, we can help prevent knife crime and make Welwyn Hatfield a safer place for everyone."
If you are concerned or have information about someone carrying knives or are aware of anyone involved in knife crime you can report this by calling the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, you can stay anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
If you would like information on support services relating to knife crime, visit the ‘Fearless’ website at fearless.org
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