Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mr. Wells, and welcome to today's lesson on the consequence of 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 knives in our communities.

You're required to be supervised by an adult when you are completing this video.

If you're not currently with an adult, I'd like you to close the screen now and come back at another time.

If, when you're completing the lesson, something upsets you, you should speak to a trusted adult and also close the screen.

Let's make a start.

Today's lesson outcome is I can explain the consequences of knife crime for individuals and communities and how it impacts future choices.

Before we begin today's lesson, there are some ground rules.

Let's take a moment to go through them now.

Firstly, Laura says it's important to listen to others.

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

When disagreeing, we should challenge the statement, not the person.

Andeep says that we should respect privacy.

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

Jacob says there's no judgment.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.

And finally, Izzy says we get to choose our level of participation.

Everyone has a right to choose not to answer a question or join a discussion.

We never put anybody on the spot.

Throughout today's lesson, there are three key words, these will appear in bold on the screen.

The first is victim.

A victim is a person who is harmed as a result of another's actions.

The second is perpetrator, an individual who has committed a harmful act.

And finally, consequence, the result of something happening.

Today's lesson, the consequences of knife crime, will be in three parts.

The first is, what are the consequences of knife crime? The second is, how do these consequences affect individuals? And finally, how do these consequences affect communities? Let's make a start with our first learning cycle, what are the consequences of knife crime? Police Officer Paula says, "Weapon-related crime always brings consequences, and not just for the victim, but also for the perpetrator and the wider community.

This type of crime has four main categories of consequences, legal, physical, emotional, and community.

Legal consequences.

Carrying a knife without a lawful reason is a criminal offense.

Police can stop and search, arrest, and charge a person for possession.

The maximum sentence for possession of a knife is up to four years in prison and an unlimited fine.

However, if the knife is used to threaten or harm someone, sentences can be much longer.

A conviction leads to a permanent criminal record, affecting jobs, education, and travel.

It's time for our first check for understanding.

True or false? A criminal record for weapon-related crime can affect a person's education and employment.

Is that true or is it false? The correct answer was true.

There are also physical consequences of knife crime.

Knives can cause serious injuries such as blood loss, nerve damage, and permanent disability.

Dr.

Elsie reminds us that knife attacks can be fatal.

Carrying a knife makes it more likely that a fight will end in death.

Many injuries in knife crime happen to the person carrying the weapon.

Research shows that if someone carries a weapon, they are more likely to be injured with it themselves.

Weapons can be taken and used against the person carrying them.

Many young people carry knives because they feel scared or think it will help keep them safe.

However, carrying a weapon makes violence more likely and can turn a bad situation into a fatal one.

Police Officer Paula says, "Remember there are always better ways to stay safe, and support is available." It's time for our next check for understanding.

If someone carries a weapon for protection, what are the risks? Select two correct answers.

A, they are more likely to be injured with the weapon themselves, B, they will definitely be stopped and searched by police, C, the weapon can be taken and used against them, or D, they will feel safer and more confident in dangerous situations.

Well done, the correct answers are A, they are more likely to be injured with the weapon themselves, and C, the weapon can be taken and used against them.

There are also emotional consequences of knife and weapon-related crime.

Victims may suffer long-term emotional harm, such as trauma, fear, and anxiety, which can last for years.

Victims often feel unsafe in their own communities after an incident.

And families of victims may experience grief or loss.

Families of perpetrators may feel shame, guilt, or stigma.

And the emotional harm to families can last a lifetime.

Police Officer Kofi says that "Weapon-related crime creates fear and makes communities feel unsafe.

It can reduce trust between people and damage community spirit." It's time for our next check for understanding.

True or false? Carrying a knife only puts the victim at risk, not the person holding it.

Is that true or is it false? The correct answer is false.

I wonder if you can tell me why.

Well, you might have said, carrying a knife puts everyone at risk, victims, perpetrators, and communities.

It's time for our first task.

Add consequences to each part of the mind map.

In the middle of the mind map, we have consequences of knife crime, and around the side, we have legal, physical, emotional, community.

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

How did you get on? Your mind map might include the following ideas.

For the legal consequences of knife crime, you might have written prison sentences and unlimited fines, and a criminal record which affects future opportunities.

For physical, you might have written potential death and serious injury to victim or perpetrator.

For emotional, you might have written families of victims may experience grief and loss and long-term trauma or anxiety.

And for community, you might have written reduces trust or creates a sense of fear and unsafety.

Well done if your answers look like those.

It's time to move on to our second learning cycle, how do these consequences affect individuals? David, who is a youth worker, says, "Different people experience the consequences of weapon-related crime in different ways.

How does this type of crime affect different people?" Well, let's take a look at the victim's perspective.

And here we have Joshua, he's a victim of knife and weapon-related crime.

He says, "I survived a knife attack, but I still feel scared walking home.

I have a scar that reminds me every day.

Even though I'm healing, I don't feel safe anymore.

I avoid certain places now and sometimes I don't want to go out at all.

My friends don't always understand why I've changed.

The attack only lasted seconds, but it's affected every part of my life." Dr.

Elsie says that "As a doctor, I see how victims of knife crown can suffer long after the attack.

Some live with physical scars or even permanent disability that affects their daily lives.

Many also struggle with fear and trauma, finding it hard to feel safe again.

They may have nightmares or panic attacks.

Some victims need months or years of treatment, both physical and psychological." It's time for our next check for understanding.

What is one potential emotional effect a victim might face after experiencing knife crime? Your answers could include trauma, fear, panic attacks, nightmares, and poor mental health.

Let's take a look now at the perpetrator's perspective, and here we have Jordan.

Jordan says, "I thought carrying a knife would protect me.

Instead, I was arrested.

Now I have a criminal record that will stay with me.

It could stop me from getting the job I want or traveling abroad to places I've always wanted to visit.

I can't join certain college courses either.

I thought I was being smart, but one decision has closed so many doors for my future.

I wish I'd understood the consequences before it was too late." And now let's look at the family member's perspective.

Here we have Leila, the older sister of Jordan who was involved in knife crime.

She says, "When Jordan was caught carrying a knife, my whole family felt ashamed and worried.

We were scared about what might happen to him and whether he'd go to prison.

My parents blamed themselves and argued a lot.

I felt angry with Jordan, but also frightened for him.

It put so much strain on our family.

Even now, we worry about his future and whether this will hold him back." Josephine is a charity helpline worker and she says, "When families call us about weapon-related crime, they also talk about the stress and fear it causes at home.

Parents and siblings, brothers and sisters, can feel a huge emotional toll.

Some families also face money worries from legal costs or lost work, or legal problems because of it." It's time for our next check for understanding.

Jordan regretted carrying a knife, even though he never used it.

What individual consequences did he face? Well, you might have written he was arrested and now has a criminal record that could prevent him from getting certain jobs, accessing some college courses, and traveling to some countries.

It's time for our next task.

Read the scenario and discuss the questions with a partner.

Eric, age 15, was caught carrying a knife at a local park.

He said he thought it would protect him.

Now he has been arrested and his parents are very upset.

His younger sister feels embarrassed and worried.

Question one, what short-term consequences might Eric face after being caught with a knife? Question two, what long-term consequences could this have for his future? And question three, how might Eric's family be affected by his actions? You can pause the screen now and press play when you're ready to go through your answers.

Well done.

Your discussions and your answers might have included the following.

For question one, what short-term consequences might Eric face after being caught with a knife, you might have written, short-term consequences could include being arrested, questioned by the police, and upsetting his family.

For question two, what long-term consequences could this have for his future, you might have written, long-term consequences might include having a criminal record, finding it hard to get certain jobs, and not being allowed to travel to some countries.

And your discussions might have continued for question three, how might Eric's family be affected by his actions, you might have said something like, his family may feel stressed, embarrassed, and worried about his safety.

They may also face financial or legal pressures.

You are doing really well and it's already time to start the final learning cycle of today's lesson, how do these consequences affect communities? Weapon-related crime doesn't just affect individuals, it can also harm whole communities.

This type of crime creates consequences for everyone, even those not directly involved.

How might a community be affected? David, our youth worker, says, "When weapon-related crime happens in a community, people begin to feel unsafe, even in their own neighborhoods.

Parents and carers worry about letting their children play outside.

A young people may feel anxious walking to school or meeting friends in local parks." Knife crime increases people's fear of being attacked, whether or not they were directly involved.

People may avoid places or activities they used to enjoy, such as youth clubs, parks, or shopping areas.

This fear can affect their daily routines and quality of life.

And you can see there in the illustration the worry and concern of the two people looking at the story on the phone where it says, teen injured in knife attack.

It's time for a check for understanding.

Knife crime can make communities feel, A, less safe, B, more worried, C, less worried.

Your answers should look like this.

Knife crime can make communities feel, A, less safe, and B, more worried.

Josephine, our charity helpline worker, says, "When people stop trusting each other, communities break down and people feel more isolated.

Neighbors may stop talking to each other or looking out for one another.

Young people might feel they can't trust anyone outside their immediate friendship group, which makes communities weaker and less supportive." David, our youth worker, says, "Knife crime puts pressures on services like police, hospitals, and schools, taking resources away from other needs.

Local businesses may also close or move away from areas affected by knife crime, reducing opportunities for local people.

Youth centers and afterschool clubs may have reduced funding when resources are diverted elsewhere.

Public spaces may become run-down if people stop using them due to fear." It's time for our next check for understanding.

Is this true or is it false? Weapon-related crime only affects the people directly involved.

Is that true or is it false? The correct answer is false, I wonder if you can tell me why.

Now, you might have said weapon-related crime also affects families, schools, and whole communities by creating fear, stress, and fewer opportunities.

Businesses may close or move away, youth services may lose funding, and facilities may deteriorate.

Building safer communities.

Many communities have successfully reduced knife crime through youth programs, safe spaces, peer mentoring, and positive activities that build confidence and skills.

Young people can contribute by reporting concerning behavior, safely supporting friends who need help, participating in positive activities, challenging the idea that weapons bring respect.

And healthy, positive decision-making reduces risks, and promotes safer communities.

Ms. Walsh is the designated safeguarding lead at her school and she says, "If anyone feels worried about weapon-related crime in their community, they should always speak to a trusted adult.

That could be a teacher, a parent or carer, Childline or a youth worker.

It is also possible to report anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Support is always available and no one has to deal with worries alone." It's time for our next check for understanding.

If a young person was worried about knife crime in their community, who could they speak to? A, a teacher, B, a parent or carer, C, a stranger on social media, or D, Crimestoppers.

The correct answers are, A, a teacher, B, a parent or carer, and D, Crimestoppers.

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

You're doing really well.

Answer the following questions.

A, how can knife crime affect a community? And B, why does knife crime put pressure on services like police and hospitals? You can pause the screen now and press play when you're ready to go through your answers.

Your answers might have looked like this.

A, how can knife crime affect a community? People in the community may begin to feel fearful and stressed.

They may avoid places or activities due to fear.

Trust between may break down and the community may feel more isolated.

Local businesses might be affected and youth services may receive less funding if resources need to be diverted.

B, why does knife crime put pressure on services like police and hospitals? Police and hospitals have to use extra time, staff, and resources responding to knife crime incidents.

This leaves less time and fewer resources available for other community needs.

For the second part of the task, I would like you to read the scenario and write advice for Maya.

Maya heard that some older pupils at her school have been carrying knives.

She feels worried but doesn't know what to do.

Her friend says, "It's none of our business." Write one paragraph advice for Maya explaining why her concerns are valid, what could happen if the situation isn't addressed, and what she should do and who she could talk to.

Again, you can pause the screen now and press play When you're ready to go through your answers.

Your answers may include the following, Maya's friend is wrong, even though she's not directly involved, knife crime affects everyone in the community.

If this situation isn't addressed, someone could get seriously hurt or killed, pupils could receive criminal records, and the whole school could feel less safe.

The situation could also escalate if more people start carrying knives out of fear.

Maya should speak to a trusted adult such as a teacher, parent or carer, or Childline.

She could also report anonymously to Crimestoppers.

Speaking up could save lives, including the lives of those carrying knives, and build a safer community.

Well done, you've worked really hard in today's lesson.

Let's take a moment to summarize what we've learned.

Knife crime has serious consequences for victims, perpetrators, families, and whole communities.

Victims may live with fear, trauma, or lasting injuries while perpetrators risk arrest, a criminal record, and the loss of future opportunities.

Communities and schools can feel stressed, worried, or unsafe, and local businesses and services can also be affected.

Carrying a weapon does not provide protection, it increases the danger to the person holding it, as well as others.

There are always safer choices and support available for anyone who feels worried or unsafe.

And if you would like further support following today's lesson, you could go to Childline, a website and phone line which is able to offer confidential advice and support, or 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 your hard work today, and I hope you join us for another Oak National Academy lesson sometime soon.