Home office based scheme to benefit hundreds of Wigan youngsters

Young people in Wigan are set to learn about the dangers of knife crime as part of a Home Office backed initiative from Wigan Athletic Community Trust.

Delivered in partnership with Wigan Council, the Trust have received funding of £2,440 to deliver workshops to over 300 youngsters aged 12-19 years old across the borough to raise awareness of the subject and to help prevent knife crime.

Rachel Scott, Inclusion Officer at Wigan Athletic Community Trust, said: “The project encourages young people to consider the impact and challenges that knife crime can have on their local communities and the wider society, including how to deal with conflict and staying safe.

She added: “We’ll be engaging with a number of young people through open discussions and workshops so they have a better understanding of the consequences associated with carrying a knife and its impact on them and their families.”

The Knife Crime Community Fund, launched by the Home Office, supports projects that reduce knife crime and have a positive impact on young people at risk of carrying a knife and committing a crime.

Victoria Atkins, Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, said: “I’m pleased that we were able to announce this funding for Wigan Athletic Community Trust, which will help them to continue to support young people in Wigan to make the right choices about knives.

She added: “The Knife Crime Community Fund is another important step towards stamping out this scourge and keeping our communities safe.”

Latics club captain Dan Burn, said: “The workshops will benefit so many young people in Wigan and credit must go to the Community Trust once again for the launch of such a fantastic initiative.”

For more information about the Knife Crime workshops, please call 01942 318090 or email Inclusion Officer Rachel Scott on [email protected].