Cash will help to ditch knives and save lives

A SCHEME set up by a local police officers to dissuade young people from carrying knives has been given £2,000 to keep up the good work.

The Ditch A Knife; Save A Life campaign, has been awarded the money by the Tribune Trust.

It was founded by PC Steve Jones to persuade young people in the area not to carry and use knives.

PC Jones, who visits local schools as part of the scheme, said: "I started in the Metropolitan Police, and in London, and the large cities, knife crime is a major problem.

"I was sick of seeing more and more young people being killed in knife attacks and I wanted to do something about it.

"Here in Humberside, there are very few knife attacks. However young people still need the education to make them realise the risks.

"I don't believe there are bad kids, just kids who make bad choices.

"The majority of people will never carry a knife, and some, no matter what we say, will carry on regardless of the consequences.

"There is a large number who may, with the right advice, decide not to pick up a knife.

"This donation will enable us to produce more wristbands and leaflets to help continue our message after the students have gone home."

Jo Tilling, the mother of 17-year-old Ben Tilling who was fatally stabbed in a Grimsby alleyway, has worked with the scheme and believes it is making a real difference.

She said: "I feel the scheme is very important. If we can prevent one person picking up a knife it can save someone's life.

"When somebody is killed, it affects everybody around them – their mum and dad, brothers, sisters and friends as well as anybody who knew them or hears about what happened. It affects everybody."

The High Sheriffs And Humberside Police Tribune Trust fund was established by the High Sheriffs of Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire and the Chief Constable of Humberside Police, with the aim of making local communities safer.

Trust director Geoff Ogden said: "This scheme is making a real difference to young people.

"PC Jones has shown a true example of neighbourhood policing by working with the community."

The money is awarded to projects that would otherwise not receive financial support.

If your school or youth group could benefit from a visit from PC Jones, contact him on Stephen.Jones@humberside.pnn.police.uk