LifeOrKnife

#LifeorKnife- the choice is yours

The Life Or Knife website is aimed at all young people, parents and teachers.

It provides information on where to report or talk to someone about knives and where you can anonymously dispose of them.

It also includes lots of information on the devastating impact knives can have on you and others, guidance on how to talk to your child about knives, and resources that can be used in schools.

The #lifeorknife campaign, which has been informed by the region’s schoolchildren, teachers, police officers, doctors, paramedics and members of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Youth Commission, encourages children to talk about knife crime with parents, teachers and peers.

Signs you might want to talk to your child about knife crime

If they have become withdrawn from the family and school, changed their behaviour, achievement or school attendance.

If they might have lost interest in hobbies and old friends and now hang around with a new group, staying out late and being vague about where they go.

If they have become secretive and defensive, particularly about what’s in their bag and might even told you that they need to carry a knife.

If you’ve noticed knives are missing from the house or may even have found one in your child’s bag or coat.

These things seem easily explained as part of the difficult teenage years, but it’s still important to talk to them about knife crime.

How to have the chat

Pick a place and a time where you can comfortably chat together. Your child might be reluctant to talk to you, so it might help to start by watching a relevant video or news article.

Ask them if they understand what knife crime is about. Be patient, get them talking, reassure them that they can be honest with you about their fears and worries. You are there to listen and support them.

What you might want to say

You might want to share your own fears about their safety and their future. Tell them that even when they feel they don’t have choices, they do.

You might have a story from your own childhood you can share about a time you felt pressured into acting a certain way or a recent news story you could reference.

Explain that the bravest thing to do is walk away from a fight, particularly one where someone has a knife. That while walking away is never easy, it’s easier than getting seriously hurt or being responsible for killing or injuring someone else.

You might want to discuss excuses your child could use to help them walk away, such as 'I have to go and pick my little brother up,' - or decide on a ‘code’ where the child can message you asking you to call them so that they can use your call as an excuse to walk away.

Reassure them by saying many young people don’t carry knives.

#LetMeTellYouAboutRonan – Nikita’s story

Ronan was just 16 when he was stabbed, seconds from home, by teenagers who thought he was someone else.

He suffered devastating injuries and died on the street where he lived.

Ronan lost his life and his teenage killers were jailed for life for his murder.

Ronan’s family are bravely helping us to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife. They firmly believe if someone had reported the boys who stabbed Ronan, he would still be alive today.

Sarah's Story - Losing Jack by knife crime

Jack Barry died last year just days after his 19th birthday. His killer was jailed for 18 years. His mother Sarah shares her story about losing Jack and how carrying a knife does not protect you from serious violence.

'Jack died from a knife fight - just a chance encounter with someone he’d fallen out with over a disagreement - both parties were carrying knives and there was only one blow from each of them. The incident took no more than 30-60 seconds but Jack was fatally injured and died from a single stab wound to the chest.'

The James Brindley Foundation

The James Brindley Foundation exists to bring an end to youth violence, and to engage and empower young people to make positive changes for a better life.

Find out more about the work they do and how they're supporting our campaign at The James Brindley Foundation.

Find out more

You can find out more about knife crime and join in the conversation on social media using #lifeorknife.

You can also find out more independent advice and anonymously report knife crime online at Fearless.