Community comes together to beat knife crime

Following last December’s Safer Gloucester led ‘Community Conversation’ event at Gloucester Guildhall, residents are being asked to join in the conversation about community safety in the city.

At the event at the Guildhall, local residents, community groups and leaders, as well as representatives from the council and police, met to discuss how to tackle knife crime in Gloucester.

Attendees made pledges to do what they could in their local community, to help reduce the amount of knife crime in the city. The event also included activities sharing views on why some people feel the need to carry knives and how we can give them confidence to leave those weapons behind.

At 6pm Wednesday 13^th July at Parry Hall, Tredworth, Gloucester, there will be a follow up event where the pledges made at the earlier meeting will be presented.

Safer Gloucester is encouraging as many local residents as possible to come down to Parry Hall and take part.

There will also be Pizza served from 6pm, with dance entertainment organised by Tyler Attwood of Team Multi Styles Battle taking place at 6:15pm.

Cllr Jennie Dallimore, deputy leader of Gloucester City Council and chair of Safer Gloucester, said: “We want Gloucester to be a safe and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.

“At our event at the Guildhall in December, local residents, community groups and leaders, as well as representatives from the council and police, met to discuss how to tackle knife crime in Gloucester.

“It was really productive, and the pledges made at that event will be presented to attendees at Parry Hall on Wednesday. We want as many people as possible to come down to this follow on event,  and share their views and opinions on how to help stop knife crime.”

Inspector Tim Wood of Gloucestershire Police, said: “In December residents of Gloucester came together at the Guildhall for a conversation.

“During the conversation time was taken to explore some of the root causes of knife crime, to consider what already exists in Gloucester that prevents people from getting involved with knife crime, and to discuss how we can build upon this together to make stronger better connected communities that no longer have to suffer the tragedies caused by knife crime.

“I am sure that this is the kind of Gloucester we all aspire to live in.  Indeed, nearly 60 of those people present in December left behind a pledge relating to something they felt able to do to contribute.

“This event is now intended to continue this conversation, to update each other on any progress that has been made and to seek a continued way forward together.

“We are particularly keen that young people feel able to contribute their ideas, and as such there will entertainment, food and a £10 High Street voucher for anyone aged 10-25 who is able to attend, take part and stay ‘til the end.”

For more information, visit: www.safergloucester.co.uk.

 

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk