Pupils and teachers at Ortu Hassenbrook Academy in Stanford-le-Hope made a pledge to help fight knife crime thanks to pupil and Member of Youth Parliament, George Hare.
George said: "Raising awareness of knife crime is important to do and often doesn't get the attention that it deserves. I was really surprised to learn how many people carry knives because they think it makes them safer."
George encouraged students to sign a pledge committing to never carrying a knife and to act responsibly if they learned of someone carrying a knife, as part of Knife Crime Awareness Week. Students were given the option to sign the pledge individually or as a class.
"I wanted to use the day to dissuade people from carrying a knife" said George.
"I tried my best to make sure people showed up and had a really good group of friends that went around to spread the message. I couldn't believe how many students and teachers showed up to sign the pledge and join the cause."
The day was a resounding success with 45 students signing the school pledge and 20 teachers signing the teachers' pledge, including head teacher, Sally Feeney.
Addressing youth safety is a key priority for Thurrock's Youth Cabinet, and knife crime has had a higher focus following a visit to The Ben Kinsella Trust's Knife Crime exhibition in Barking earlier this year, which acted as an impactful resource for raising awareness.
George added: "The visit to the exhibition was so insightful and really inspired me to do more to promote the dangers of knife crime. I’m really hoping to build on the success of the pledge and do more workshops around it in the future."
For more information, go to The Ben Kinsella Trust: Knife Crime Awareness Week.
Photo below: George Hare with Sally Feeney.
