Though knife crime amongst the young remains a grave concern, there is some good news. Hospital admissions for knife assaults on young people have fallen by 50% since the launch of the Mayorʼs Violence Reduction Unit in 2019. And BelSoc member, Sue Scott-Horne is also doing her bit.
Sue, a former teacher and Deputy Head of Social Education in Islington, amongst other roles, set up her charity Letʼs Get Talking (LGT) in 2012. LGT seeks to educate young people under the topics of Health and Crime, from exploring their decision-making, misconceptions and experiences, to positively enhance their futures.
Sue explained that the charity works with young people in many places such as schools and youth clubs and delivers resources and workshops to the most in-need areas across London. The independence from schools and other institutions gives young people confidence to speak freely about their ideas and anxieties on subjects such as knife crime, guns, drug use, anger management and bereavement.
When a knife assault has unfortunately taken place, every second counts if the victim is to be saved. To this end, Sue has installed trauma bleed kits at several places nearby including Camden Stables Market, Hampstead Old Town Hall and Parliament Hill Girlsʼ School.
These Daniel Baird Foundation Bleed Kits contain bandages and dressings, tourniquets and other equipment to reduce bleeding such as from a serious knife wound or road traffic accident, until the emergency services arrive. They are kept in publicly accessible cabinets and can be used under instruction from the 999 service. Instruction sessions are also available for schools and youth clubs. There is also a map showing the location of all registered bleed kits: www.bleedmap.uk
Sue asked that you might consider contributing to the LGT fundraising campaign in order to provide more of these kits at schools, sports clubs, pubs, buses – everywhere, she says!
Your contribution may save a life. www.letsgettalking.org
