The Happening - knife crime initiative welcomes more than 100 young people

More than 100 young people have visited our state-of-the-art knife crime educational space at Sleaford Police Station.

Some 17 groups of guests, made up of anywhere between four and eight young people each trip, have toured The Happening – knife crime initiative since it launched in January.

The immersive experience aims to divert people away from carrying a knife and being involved in serious violence.

It challenges thinking and looks to dispel myths and remove the glamour that is spoken about openly within young people’s lives and social media streams.

The project was built within the station’s old custody suite and has seen a number of rooms converted into state-of-the-art spaces centred around knife crime.

Each room is unique and utilises real world props, videos, graffiti, posters, written content and more to help educate and inform young people.

Five months on its proven a hit with visitors who say the site is ‘thought-provoking’ with others saying they ‘love how we are so inclusive and calm in our delivery’.

Many visitors have also spoken about their emotions while visiting the centre and how they can stay safe by making the right choice.

We’ve received really good feedback overall when we talk about diversion away from crime, what to do when something happens to our friends and how they can support.

Sgt Mel Standbrook, Crime Prevention and Safer Lincolnshire Partnerships and the mind behind the project, said: “The Happening has become an important part of our education offer from Lincolnshire Police.

“It’s amazing to speak to the young people during the experience and find out their biggest issues and concerns around knife crime and serious violence.

“We have a real opportunity to make a difference with the young people we get to see at the centre.

“Since going live with delivery we have created 4 different types of learning packages that can be adapted for different schools. It is also slightly different from our normal. “

The project has been a collaborative effort involving key individuals such as LIVES, Crimestoppers, Lincoln College, Image Skool, Visual Print and Design and Allen Signs, HMP Lincoln and the University of Lincoln.

Local authorities and the Home Office, via the Homicide Prevention Fund, also provided significant support.