No More Knives tour returns to Blackpool and Fylde

Thursday, 25 January 2024 13:01

More than 3,300 students across Blackpool and Fylde were visited by the No More Knives Tour last week, provided by The Message Trust.

No More Knives allows students to listen to first hand stories from those who have been involved in knife crime by combining music with storytelling and education. The sessions allow young people to understand the dangers of knife crime, the signs of being groomed into County Lines, and have open discussions with their peers.

All students who received a session were invited to a concert provided by the artists at the end of the week - participating schools were Blackpool Sixth Form, Aspire Academy, Montgomery Academy, McKee College House and Baines School.

Funding was provided for the tour by Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) and a contribution was made by Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network (VRN).

Sergeant Dan Whitaker, from Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network, said: “The No More Knives Tour has been another massive success. It has landed well with the students who have been having honest and open discussions about some serious topics.

“Many teachers have told the value of using the No More Knives Tour to get the message across about the dangers of carrying knives and joining gangs.

“I would like to thank Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Pratt, Blackpool Council, LANPAC and the Lancashire VRN for their involvement and bringing the tour to Blackpool and Fylde. We hope to continue the No More Knives Tours in the future.”

Emma Owen, No More Knives Tour Manager from The Message Trust, said: "It was so great to come back to Blackpool with bands OTC and NXT CHAPTR in partnership with the Police, Council and local churches all with the same message - that if all students across Blackpool said no to carrying knives this could enable them to be the change makers!

"Seeing 488 young people at the sold-out gig in Blackpool Tower chanting "lay your knives down" excited me at the possibility of this becoming a reality."