Knife Crime Prevention Project
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The Pitch
Problem statement
Knife crime is one of London’s most pressing public health issues. Nationally, knife crime has risen by 48% in the last 10 years and by 8% in the 12 months to June 2022 (ONS, 2022). In 2021 London reached the tragic milestone of 30 teenage murders, the highest on record, with 27 killed using a knife. This year, Islington saw 365 recorded serious knife incidents and two teenagers have tragically lost their lives. Young people are severely affected – 24% of teens have seen other children carrying, promoting, or using weapons, and 65% of teens are changing their behaviour, such as not going to school out of fear (Youth Endowment Fund, 2022). This leads to a vicious cycle of young people living
Solution
Knife crime is not inevitable - we believe in prevention through education. Our educational programmes have been proven to change attitudes and values; to teach young people about the impact of knife crime; and equip them with the skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe. Working closely with local schools and young people within the Central Alliance District's catchment area this grant would allow us to: • Deliver anti-knife crime workshops to 6 local schools, directly reaching up to 180 young people • Capture attitudes, knowledge, and values of young people before and after their workshop • Share insights with school leaders to provide follow-on resources and support
Why are we best placed to deliver?
The Ben Kinsella Trust has a reputation for excellence spanning over 10 years in Islington. We have a profound understanding of how to reach, influence and change young people's attitudes and behaviour towards knife crime. Our knife crime prevention programmes are unique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVzRWKiPcno Using our purpose-built Exhibition, expertly trained facilitators and actors deliver a powerful experience where young people explore this complex issue in a safe learning environment. Our workshops feature powerful films, interactive displays and immersive theatrical spaces – none of which can be replicated elsewhere. Our expertise and sole mission is to tackle knife crime.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Sessional staff costs to facilitate 6 workshops. Two facilitators per workshop required. Fee: £50 per 2-hour workshop. Qty: 12 | £600 |
| Sessional staff costs for Actors to deliver an immersive piece of theatre in a mock prison cell. One Actor per workshop required. Fee: £50 per 2-hour workshop. Qty: 6 | £300 |
| Project management costs: 3 days (21 hours) Regional Manager. Implement Project Plan, manage delivery teams, monitor performance and act as Safeguarding Lead. Day rate: £146. Qty: 3 days | £438 |
| Project coordination costs: 6 days (42 hours) Youth Programmes Officer. Deliver project, arrange workshops, collate and report data, follow-on support to schools. Day rate: £106. Qty: 6 days | £636 |
| Materials needed for workshops (stationary, badges, surveys etc.) Cost: £3 per child. Qty: 180 | £540 |
| A small proportion of overheads (e.g. rent, financial costs, governance etc). | £460 |
Beneficiaries
180 people
Expected impact
This project will create a broad cohort of young people who are resilient, well-informed, and empowered to tackle knife crime in their communities. In line with previous data we capture, we expect that at least 90% of participants will: • demonstrate an increased understanding of the law and consequences of knife crime • understand that carrying a knife does not protect you • adopt an anti-knife crime stance in relation to their peers • pledge to never carry a knife This grant will help to reduce the number of local families and communities who suffer the devastating impact of knife crime, ultimately making the Central Alliance District a safer place for its young residents.
Track record
Since 2008 The Ben Kinsella Trust’s worked tirelessly to tackle knife crime. Our unique, award-winning approach to knife crime prevention is widely recognized as “Powerful. High impact. Unforgettable. With many years of experience of working with children and families, I've not come across something that's left such an impression on me” [Future Youth Zone worker]. Our national campaigns and our exhibitions alike have won numerous awards (e.g. Best Innovator at London Impact Award 2020). An example in real terms: since 2018 police have brought at-risk young people who accounted for a disproportionately high number of knife-related arrests. Of 196 young people in that cohort, none have since been arrested for knife possession. The local Safer Schools Officer stated: “The Ben Kinsella Trust has made a big difference in tackling local knife crime. We have seen a spectacular reduction in knife carrying in the schools who visit, which is a major turnaround on where we were in 2018”.