REDDITCH anti-knife crime campaigner Pete Martin has created a scheme to help people combat knife crime in their communities.
The Anti Knife Crime Community Champions will attend a training course with Pete on how to communicate with the public on such a serious issue.
They will also be able to refer people in need to the services of the Self Defence and Youth Engagement Partnership
Having spoken to thousands of young people in schools across Herefordshire and Worcestershire as well in other locations, Pete has concluded fear is a major reason some young people are carrying weapons.
It follows reports of a rise in the number of young people taking weapons into school and the age of people carrying knives is getting lower.
Redditch Self Defence was formed by Pete who has been an instructor of the practice since 1989.
He has been at the forefront of anti-knife crime campaigns in the town and has recently been installing bleed kits throughout the community.
The kits are endorsed by West Midland Ambulance Service and are used by the public in the case of a stabbing.
The Control The Bleed kit locations are also stored in a national database and accessed by 999 phone operators.
Any caller will be told which kit is nearest their location for fastest collection to provide vital aid by preventing blood loss.
Pete has won numerous awards and has been involved in the BBC documentary ‘SAS Catching the Criminals’.
He said: “I am constantly being asked by people how they can help and I normally have to turn people away as knife crime is a delicate matter, which I have studied for 12 years.
“I always feel guilty as I know people want to help, but with the Anti Knife Crime Community Champions, I can.
“The scheme will engage members of the public in a positive way and help get people involved.”
