Don’t Be the One – Police join forces with community to tackle knife crime.
Devon & Cornwall Police has launched a new website to provide information and guidance around knife crime and keeping our communities safe.
The #NotTheOne website focuses on statistics around people who carry a knife. In Devon & Cornwall one in 1000 people carry a knife.
The campaign is being supported by the family of Michael Riddiough-Allen who died following a knife attack outside of a Bodmin nightclub in 2023.
Some people think that they might be safer if they carry a knife. The reverse is actually true. People are more in danger of being injured if they choose to carry a knife.
The new website content includes videos, lived experience stories and interactive education packages and aims to advise young people, parents/carers and teachers about all aspects of knife carrying and knife crime.
Force knife crime lead, DCI Steve Fleetwood said, “Here in Devon and Cornwall knife crime levels are very low. We want to keep it that way by educating the public and preventing and reducing knife crime in our communities, which is why we have developed this website.
“It is our hope that the website will provide information for various audiences, including young people, to educate people about knife carrying and to understand the dangers and possible consequences. There are some very moving stories recounted on video by victims, perpetrators, mothers, teachers, etc. which show the reality of knife crime when it happens.
“Our message has been and remains that knife carrying doesn’t make you safer. We urge anyone who is concerned about knife crime in their area, to contact police and tell us about it.”
Becky Dustan, co-founder and trustee of MIKES Trust — a Cornish charity dedicated to educating young people about the impact of knife crime and established in memory of her brother, Michael Riddiough-Allen, who was fatally stabbed in 2023 — said, “I know first-hand the devastating consequences that a knife in the wrong hands can cause. My family lives every day with the loss of Michael. He lost his life trying to protect others from the danger of a knife, and now we work to protect others in his memory.
“I firmly believe that educating young people and supporting them to make safer choices is one of the most effective ways to prevent and reduce knife crime. This new website represents a significant step towards that goal.”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner added, “We must do everything we can to stop our young people being affected by knife crime. I’m pleased to see this campaign promoting Fearless, the anonymous reporting tool operated by Crimestoppers, because when I visit schools and colleges young people often tell me they weren’t aware of the option to report crime anonymously. I want to thank the young people who’ve been involved in this website, and the family of Michael Riddiough-Allen, for the work they’re doing to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of carrying a knife.”
The #NotTheOne website can be found here.
If anyone has concerns about knife crime in their area, they are encouraged to report here: www.dc.police.uk/tua
If anyone has been a victim of any type of crime, support and advice are available via the Victim Care Unit.
Young people can report information about crime anonymously via the Fearless website.
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