DCG students take part in knife crime awareness events to learn about safety and prevention

Students at Derby College Group (DCG) took part in three Knife Crime Awareness events designed to encourage open conversations about safety, the law and the real-life consequences of carrying knives.

The events visited three Derby College Group campuses including Broomfield Hall in Morley as well as sites in Derby. At the events students were introduced to screening safety procedures before taking part in a range of activities and discussions throughout the day.

Organised by the college’s personal development team, the event brought together several organisations working on the frontline of crime prevention, youth support and victim services. Representatives from Derbyshire Constabulary, StreetDoctors, Remedi and Change Grow Live – 1625 Outreach attended to speak with students, share their experiences and provide practical advice on staying safe.

Events like this give young people the chance to learn more about knife crime, the risks associated with carrying weapons and the wider impact violence can have on individuals, families and communities.

Students also explored how to respond in emergency situations and where they can seek support if they are affected by knife crime.

The aims of the event were to help students better understand knife crime and how to keep themselves and others safe. During the sessions, students learned more about the law in relation to knife crime, gained awareness of CPR and how it could help save a life in an emergency, and were introduced to organisations they can turn to for advice or support if they are affected by violence. Students were also encouraged to reflect on the wider impact knife crime can have on communities.

Students actively engaged with the events, asking questions, taking part in demonstrations and speaking directly with professionals working in policing, healthcare and youth support.

Luke Holland, a Level 3 Public Services student from Nottingham, who is looking for a career in the police, said the event helped him understand the real-life consequences of crime and substance misuse.

Luke said: “It’s good to learn and see the effects of drugs and crime. It helps you understand the reality of what can happen. I want to become a firearms police officer in the future, so learning about these issues now is really important.”

Fellow Level 3 Public Services student Anna Bell Steadman, 18, from Chaddesden in Derby, described her college course as engaging and said the event provided valuable practical experience.

Anna said: “Our course takes a really engaging and common-sense approach to learning about public services. I am interested in going into medicine, possibly in the Army as a combat medic, so learning these skills is really useful.”

Anna also assisted at the StreetDoctors stand during the event, where she learned basic techniques that can help if someone suffers a serious injury.

StreetDoctors works with healthcare professionals and trained volunteers to teach young people how to respond if someone is injured following violence. The charity delivers life-saving training in schools, colleges and youth settings across the UK, empowering young people with the knowledge and confidence to help someone in an emergency.

Seraya Cliffe, National Operations Manager at StreetDoctors and former Head of Student Development at Derby College Group, said education plays a vital role in preventing violence.

Seraya said: “Knife crime is a public health issue as well as a policing issue. At StreetDoctors we equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to act if someone is seriously injured, but just as importantly, we encourage conversations about the risks and consequences of carrying a knife. Education and prevention are key to helping young people make safer choices and protecting our communities.”

Nicole Davies, Personal Development Coordinator at Derby College Group, said events like this are essential in helping students understand the real world impact of violence.

Nicole said: “These events are incredibly important because they allow us to have honest conversations with young people about knife crime, the law and the consequences of carrying weapons. By working with organisations that deal with these issues every day, students can hear real experiences and gain the knowledge they need to make safer choices. It was fantastic to see how engaged our students were throughout each of the days.”

Derby College Group thanked all partner organisations for supporting the event and sharing their expertise to help educate and inspire students to play a positive role in keeping their communities safe.