Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mr. Wells, and welcome to this lesson on knife crime.

It's part of the unit staying safe.

What do I need to know about knife crime? This lesson includes content about the effects of knife crime in our communities.

You are required to be supervised by an adult when watching this video, if you find any of the content in the lesson upsetting, I'd like you to close the screen and speak to a trusted adult.

Let's get started.

In today's lesson, the outcome is I can explain what knife crime is, how it is misrepresented online, and where to get help if I'm worried about violence.

Let's get started.

In today's lesson, there are some ground rules.

We have these in each of our RSHE lessons.

Laura says, "We should listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, we challenge the statement, not the person." Andeep tells us we should respect privacy.

We can discuss examples, but do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves.

We get to choose the level of participation.

Izzy says, "Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join discussion, and we must never put anybody on the spot." And finally, Jacob says, "There should be no judgment.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged." Throughout today's lesson, there are three keywords or phrases.

The first of those is knife crime, and that's any crime that involves a knife, including carrying, threatening with, or using it illegally.

The second is glamorize, meaning to make something harmful or dangerous seem attractive or exciting, often in the media or online.

And finally, the word distort, which means to change or twist something away from its normal or true form.

Today's lesson is broken into three different learning cycles.

The first is, what is knife crime? The second is, how is knife crime presented online? And finally, where can I get support? Let's get started with our first learning cycle.

What is knife crime? Police officer Kofi tells us knife crime is any crime that involves a knife including carrying, threatening with, or using it illegally.

It's important to understand that simply carrying a knife in public is illegal even if you never intend to use it.

David is a youth worker and he says that "Young people sometimes think knife crime happens all the time.

The truth is it's rare." Knife crime does happen, but it is not common.

And statistics show that vast majority of young people will never be involved in knife crime either as victims or perpetrators.

Media reports can make it feel more frequent than it actually is because dramatic events receive more coverage.

Ms. Walsh is a teacher and she tells us almost all young people do not carry knives.

Studies reveal that young peoples vastly overestimate how many of their peers carry knives, creating unnecessary pressure to fit in with behavior that is actually extremely uncommon.

Don't believe the myth that everyone does it.

It's time for our first check for understanding.

True or false? Most young people carry knives.

True or false? Most young people carry knives.

The correct answer is false.

I wonder if you can tell me why? You might have said Statistics consistently show that the majority of young people do not carry knives.

Police officer Paula tells us, "Carrying a knife doesn't protect you.

It makes you more likely to get hurt or into serious trouble." When someone carries a knife, they are statistically more likely to be injured with their own weapon than to successfully defend themselves.

This includes if the knife is hidden or concealed.

Real safety is about building confidence through knowledge, not weapons.

Developing strong relationships and community connections, learning to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Understanding that most conflicts can be resolved without violence and focusing on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes.

Finally, it's about seeking support when needed.

Knife crime is rare, but it has serious consequences.

These consequences affect everyone involved, the victims, families, communities, and the perpetrators.

Just carrying a knife is illegal and can lead to a prison sentence of up to four years plus a permanent criminal record that damages future opportunities in education, jobs, and travel.

And you can see in the illustration, the boy on the left is saying, "I'm not risking my future", and is refusing to take hold or possession of the bag that has a knife in it.

It's time for another check for understanding.

Look at what this young person thinks about carrying a knife.

"I should carry a knife to protect myself." Are they Correct? Explain why.

This is incorrect.

Carrying a knife significantly increases the risk of harm rather than providing protection.

Real safety comes from avoiding weapons and seeking support.

It's time for our first task.

Discuss the following questions with a partner.

One, what does the term knife crime mean? Two, why does carrying a knife often increase the risk of harm to yourself? Three, what is one common misconception about knife crime? Explain why it is incorrect.

And four, what are the two legal consequences of carrying a knife? You can pause the screen now and press play when you're ready to go through your answers.

Your discussions may have included the following.

What does the term knife crime mean? Knife crime means any crime that involves a knife, including carrying one illegally, threatening someone with it, or using it.

Question two, why does carrying a knife often increase the risk of harm to yourself? Well, carrying a knife increases the risk because it escalates conflicts making them more dangerous.

It can lead to serious injury or death, and the person carrying the knife is more likely to be injured with their own weapon.

Your discussions may have continued.

Question three.

What is one common misconception about knife crime? Explain why it is incorrect.

A common misconception is lots of young people carry knives, so I need to carry one to protect myself.

This is untrue.

As studies reveal that young people vastly overestimate how many of their peers carry knives.

And question four, what are two legal consequences of carrying a knife? Two legal consequences include up to four years in prison and a permanent criminal record that can affect future education, employment, and travel opportunities.

You're doing really well.

It's already time to move on to our second learning cycle.

How is knife crime presented online? David, the youth worker tells us, sometimes online content tries to make knife crime look exciting or powerful.

This is called glamorizing violence.

Social media platforms, music videos, and online content creators may portray knife carrying as normal, cool, or necessary for respect, but this creates a completely false impression.

Videos, musics and posts can make knives seem attractive or like symbols of power and status.

In reality, carrying knives is dangerous and illegal.

The people creating this content often don't show the real consequences.

It's time for another check for understanding.

How does online content often glamorize knife crime? Select two correct answers.

A, by portraying knife carrying as cool or necessary for respect while hiding legal penalties.

B, by showing knives as symbols of power and status without mentioning the dangers.

C, by focusing equally on the exciting aspects and the serious consequences of carrying knives or D, by presenting realistic statistics about how rare knife crime is in most communities, The two correct answers were A, by portraying knife carrying as cool or necessary for respect while hiding legal penalties.

And B, by showing knives as symbols of power and status without mentioning the dangers.

Ms. Walsh tells us knife crime can look more common than it really is.

This is called distorting reality.

Algorithms on social media can create echo chambers where violent content appears more frequently than it would in real-life, making it seem like violence is everywhere when it's actually very rare in most communities.

News stories and social media posts often focus on violence because it gets tension and engagement.

However, that doesn't mean it happens everywhere.

And we can see here in the illustration, one teenager sharing with another, a new story of a teen injured in a knife attack and the concern that they both have as a result of seeing that online.

For every story about knife crime, there are millions of young people going about their daily lives safely, but these ordinary stories don't tend to make headlines.

David, our youth worker says, "Seeing glamorized or distorted posts online can pressure young people into thinking, carrying knives is normal, but it isn't.

Remember that what you see online is often edited, exaggerated, or completely fake, and it doesn't represent the reality of most people's lives." It's time for a check for understanding, which word means to change or present something in a misleading way so it no longer reflects the truth.

A, glamorize B, distort, or C, revenge.

The correct answer is B, distort.

It's time for our next task.

Decide if each scenario represents realistic fact or distorted information and explain why.

Number one, a headline about a knife attack is shared hundreds of times making it feel like it happens everywhere.

Number two, "My cousin told me Everyone at at school carries a knife to stay safe." Number three, you are more likely to be injured by your own knife if you carry one than to successfully defend yourself.

Number four, a content creator on social media shows knives in a music video and makes carrying them look exciting.

And number five, a documentary shows that most young people who carry knives end up regretting it.

You can pause the screen now and press play when you're ready to go through your answers.

Well-done.

Your answers could include for scenario one, a headline about a knife attack is shared hundreds of times making it feel like it happens everywhere, you might have written distorted, one incident being shared widely creates false impression of frequency, even if that story is true to start with.

For scenario two, my cousin told me that everyone at his school carries a knife to stay safe.

This is distorted.

This contradicts statistical evidence.

Number three, you are more likely to be injured by your own knife if you carry one than to successfully defend yourself.

Well, this is realistic because as we've seen in the lesson that is supported by statistics.

Scenario four, a content creator on social media shows knives in a music video makes carrying them look exciting.

Well, that's distorted because music videos glamorize without showing real consequences.

And number five, a documentary that shows that most young people who carry knives end up regretting it.

Well, that's realistic.

As research supports this finding.

It's time to move to our final learning cycle, where can I get support? Ms. Walsh says, "If you're worried about violence or knife crime, you can always speak to a trusted adult in school.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

An adult's there to support you, not to get you into trouble." Let's take a moment to check our understanding.

Who could you go to in school if you're worried about violence or knife crime? Your answers might have included a form tutor, a head of year, a member of the pastoral or safeguarding team, the designated safeguarding lead, sometimes known as the DSL, a member of the senior leadership team, sometimes known as SLT, and any teacher you feel comfortable talking to.

David, our youth worker, says, "You can also get support from outside school, from parents, carers, local youth workers, community groups, or local council services.

Many communities have specific programs designed to help young people who feel at risk or who are worried about violence.

There are also charities, websites, and helplines you can call if you feel unsafe or worried.

These include Childline on 0800 1111.

They offer free confidential support 24/7.

There is also Fearless, the Crimestoppers Youth Service, which offers anonymous reporting and support.

Local youth services in community centers.

And your GP or school nurse can also offer support as well.

If you're worried about someone else who might be carrying knife or involved in violence, you can talk to a trusted adult about your concerns.

Contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

Use online reporting tools provided by your local police and as police officer Kofi tells us, "Remember that getting help for someone else could save their life." Police officer Paula says, "Carrying a knife isn't the answer.

Seeking help keep you safe and gives you better options, such as changing your route to school, having someone to talk to about your worries or getting support to address underlying problems that are making you feel unsafe.

You can also stay safe by walking with others.

Sticking to busy well lit areas, keeping your phone charged if you have one, and letting trusted people know where you are." It's time for another check for understanding.

Which of these is the best first step if you are worried about violence or knife crime, A, carry a knife yourself.

B, keep it to yourself.

Or C, speak to a trusted adult.

The correct answer is speak to a trusted adult.

It's time for our final task of today's lesson.

Read the scenario and answer the questions.

Ben is 14.

He's worried because some older boys in his area are carrying knives.

He doesn't feel safe walking home from school, but he's not sure what to do or who's to talk to.

Question one, who could Ben speak to in school for support? Question two, who could he speak to outside school? Question three, why is asking for help a better option than carrying a knife himself? And question four, what practical safety steps could Ben take while getting support? You can pause the screen now and press play when you're ready to go through your answers.

Your answers to the questions could include.

For question one, who could Ben speak to in school for support? In school, Ben could talk to his form tutor, head of year, RSHE teacher, DSL or any trusted staff member.

Question two, who could he speak to outside of school? Well, outside of school.

Ben could talk to his parents, carers, local youth workers, community groups, or contact Childline for confidential advice.

Your answers to the questions could continue.

For question three, why is asking for help a better option than carrying a knife himself? You might have written, asking for help is better because carrying a knife would significantly increase the risk of harm to Ben.

Professional support can provide Ben with safe choices and practical solutions to address his specific situation.

And for question four, what practical safety steps could Ben take while getting support, but while getting support, Ben could change his route home, walk with others, ask for lifts when possible, stay in well-lit areas.

If he has one, he can keep his phone charged and let a trusted adult know where he is.

You've done really well in today's lesson.

We're going to take a moment to summarize what we've learned.

Knife crime is rare, but when it happens, it can cause serious harm to individuals and communities.

Most young people do not carry knives and carrying one makes you more likely to be hurt, not safer.

Online posts, music videos, and news headlines can glamorize or distort knife crime, making it look more common than it really is.

If you ever feel worried about violence, there are trusted adults in and outside of school who can support you.

And asking for help is always a better and safer choice than carrying a weapon.

It's always good to know where you might get further support.

You could reach out to Childline, a website and phone line, which is able to offer confidential advice and support and also Fearless, Crimestoppers Youth service, which provides free confidential support and advice to anyone under 19 worried about violence, knife crime, or other issues.

Well-done for all of your hard work today.

I hope you join us soon for another lesson.