Crewe pupils given opportunity to discuss how knife crime affects their lives

As part of a vast programme of activities planned to support the return of the Knife Angel sculpture to the county, Cheshire Constabulary has partnered with the Perception Theatre company to put on a series of interactive productions aimed at young people in Crewe.

Since the launch of Cheshire Constabulary's 2019-2022 Knife Crime Strategy police, local authorities and youth representatives have worked alongside members of our Cheshire community to form a structured approach to tackle the complex issues associated with knife crime and the culture that surrounds it.

Over the past week, Perception Theatre and representatives from Crewe Local Policing Unit have visited several schools across the town to deliver performances of their original production, Cut.

Written in alongside the families of victims of knife crime and further developed with the support of Cheshire Police, Cut looks at issues such as peer pressure and the long-term impact that knife crime and youth violence can have on offenders, victims and their families.

Taking place within the four walls of a police interview room, the play follows Jamie, a high school-aged student recalling how a needless dispute at school led to his best friend being fatally stabbed.

Following the performance, students are invited into an open discussion with the Perception actors and encouraged to share their thoughts on the contents of the play, exploring the choices the characters made and what could have done differently.

More than 2000 students across Crewe and the surrounding areas have now seen the production of Cut, with the response being overwhelmingly positive.

A student from Reaseheath College, Nantwich said:

“(The play was) very emotive, made me want to cry. I lived in Liverpool for 11 years and we had to move because of the violence. Knife crime should be spoken about more often and zero tolerance should be more enforceable.”

Another said:

“I found it brutally honest about the reality of knife crime, in my opinion it is what makes the show so effective at raising awareness and the dangers of carrying a knife.”

A Year 8 Form Teacher from Sir William Stanier School, Crewe said:

“I would like to thank PC Martin Shore (Crewe Youth Engagement) and the Perception Theatre team for bringing such a powerful and interactive performance to our students’ attention.

“After the performance our Year 8s engaged openly in a constructive dialogue with the Perception team, and it was great to see such a mature attitude from our young people, given the productions sensitive subject matter.”

Superintendent Andrew Blizard, Cheshire Constabulary’s knife crime lead, said:

“While Cheshire continues to have one of the lowest levels of knife-related incidents in the country, this does not mean that we do not experience it or that we should allow violence to be normalised in our local communities.

“Performances such as this show that we all have a responsibility to help young people fulfil their potential and not carry or use weapons.

“With the Knife Angel returning our community in May, and the launch of our upcoming Knife Crime Strategy for 2023-2026, there has never been a more pertinent time to address knife crime and how it affects us as wider Cheshire community.”

The Knife Angel, a 27-foot-tall sculpture formed of 100,000 knives seized by 43 constabularies, arrived in Crewe on Wednesday 3 May and will stand in Memorial Square until Tuesday 30 May.

During the month of May, Crewe Local Policing Unit and Crewe Town Council are working in partnership with the Safer Cheshire East Partnership and to provide a programme of activities covering the many aspects of knife-related crime.

Some of these events include gang culture workshops and school engagement, such as the Perception Theatre visits, as well as emergency first aid demonstrations and a knife amnesty bin.