The Sheffield College is supporting a regional campaign aimed at raising awareness of knife crime and changing behaviour.
Led by South Yorkshire Police, Knives Take Lives aims to make teenage boys think twice about carrying a knife.
The Knives Take Lives website provides information and advice on how to discuss the issue with young people as well as guidance on anonymous reporting methods.
The college has been a key partner in the campaign, which is being highlighted during Colleges Week that runs nationally from 3rd to 7th March 2025.
Colleges Week showcases the positive role of colleges within their communities.
One of the themes of this year’s Colleges Week is ‘Take back our streets’ which focuses on community safety issues including tackling knife crime.
Students at UC Sheffield, which is the home of the college’s university level qualifications, worked with South Yorkshire Police to provide insights into the Knives Takes Lives campaign.
Their feedback shaped the design and script for the campaign video, which is based on a real story. The campaign launch took place recently at Hillsborough Campus.
Angela Foulkes CBE, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, said: "The safety and wellbeing of our college community is a top priority.
“Raising awareness about the devastating impact of knife crime and how students can keep themselves safe is vital.”
She added: "I would like to thank our students for supporting this initiative and working in partnership with South Yorkshire Police on such an important campaign."
South Yorkshire Police also consulted with youth groups, community workers and groups, criminal justice colleagues, educational establishments and safeguarding forums to ensure the campaign has been shaped by those who work with young people.
According to South Yorkshire Police, a disproportionate number of those caught carrying a bladed article are teenage boys. Research has shown that boys in their teens who carry knives do so for their own perceived protection or for social status among their friends.
Sarah Poolman, Deputy Chief Constable, South Yorkshire Police, said: “There can be a perception among some members of our communities, particularly some younger teens, that many of their peers are carrying a knife. This builds fear and leads them to believe they must carry too, to protect themselves.
“In reality, 99.75 per cent of people in South Yorkshire don’t carry a knife, and sadly we know all too well that carrying a knife in fact puts you in further danger.
“This is what Knives Take Lives aims to address. Through this movement we are reaching out to younger boys, and the influential people in their lives including parents and teachers, in a bid to stop them from picking up a knife in the first place.
“Fewer knives on our streets reduces the risk of another local family grieving the loss of a loved one, and another young person destroying their own future and ending up behind bars. Let’s work together to make this crucial change.”
To find out more, visit the Knives Take Lives website.
Pictured: The launch of the Knives Take Lives campaign took place at Hillsborough Campus earlier this term.
