Violence & Weapons

What is violence?

Violence refers to the use of physical force, power or weapons to harm someone, damage property, or cause fear. It can happen in many forms, including bullying, fighting, or assault. Violence can have serious consequences, both physically and emotionally, for everyone involved.

Carrying a weapon, even for self-defence, increases the risk of getting hurt. It is illegal to carry a weapon, even if you don’t intend on using it and can lead to serious legal consequences, including arrest and imprisonment.

Resources

Presentations,
Lesson Plans, Videos and Worksheets.

What counts as a weapon?

An offensive weapon is anything made or adapted to cause injury including:

  • Specifically designed to cause harm, such as swords, guns or nun chucks.
  • Everyday items carried with the intention to cause injury, such as a hammer or a baseball bat.
  • An item adapted to cause injury, such as a broken bottle or sharpened door keys.
  • Acid or a corrosive substance.
  • Or Knives, which are currently the most common.

Why might someone carry a weapon?

  • For protection in case of being attacked
  • Being brought up in a household where carrying a knife is acceptable
  • To make themselves feel like the ‘Alpha Dog’ amongst their peers
  • Because they are not able to have a fist fight, and feel that a weapon will back them up
  • To gain ‘respect’
  • For their own mental safety, i.e. in their mind that they are safe
  • For others to fear them
  • Forced to carry knives for older gang members, as the police wouldn’t suspect someone of their age to carrying a knife

Resources

Introduction to Weapons and Knife Crime

Suitable for Key Stage 3, 4 and above.
Warning: contains content of the impact of a fatality some viewers might find upsetting.

Interactive Presentation (PowerPoint containing films)

Suitable for Key Stage 3, 4 and above.
Warning: contains content of the impact of a fatality some viewers might find upsetting.

1. The facts about weapons and knives
2. Why people carry weapons and knives
3. What the law says
4. How to reduce risk and get help

Lesson plan notes

Suitable for Key Stage 3, 4 and above.
Warning: contains content of the impact of a fatality some viewers might find upsetting.

A summary of the content, timing guidance and activities included in the Interactive Presentation.

Breaking the Cycle: Navigating Knife Crime for Practitioners

Get help

Where safe and possible, a weapon should be returned to where it came from. If not, they should be safely disposed of.

You can contact your police force anonymously or search online to find out how weapons can be surrendered to the police. Often this can be done without the need for giving any personal details.

The NSPCC and Childline have some advice for anyone worried that they are involved in weapon or knife crime here.

If you have a concern about someone carrying or using an offensive weapon you can help reduce the risk by speaking anonymously to Fearless or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or call Childline on 0800 111. If someone is in immediate danger call 999.

Fearless or Crimestoppers
0800 555 111
crimestoppers-uk.org

Childline – support provided by the NSPCC
0800 111
childline.org.uk

Helping children & young people stay safe
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Get help

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please dial 999.

If you need help and advice call childline 0800 1111 or text the missing persons helpline 116 000.

If you have concerns about a young person who might be at risk or someone you suspect is an offender call your local police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.