Council to adopt Let's Be Blunt knife safety campaign

Council to adopt Let's Be Blunt knife safety campaign

Wigan Council will back the Let’s Be Blunt campaign as part of its community safety initiatives to address knife violence.

Councillors last week voted in favour of the local authority pledging its support for the nationwide initiative.

Let’s Be Blunt is dedicated to reducing knife crime through practical, everyday actions.

For example, part of the campaign encourages the replacement of sharp-ended kitchen knives with rounder ended alternatives.

It was launched by teacher Leanne Lucas, a survivor of the 2024 Southport attack.

Councillor Kevin Anderson, cabinet portfolio holder for police, crime and civil contingencies, said the campaign complements Wigan Council’s other anti-knife crime initiatives.  

And speaking at Wednesday’s meeting of the Full Council, he told colleagues he had recently met Ms Lucas and found her passion for the campaign ‘truly inspirational’.

He said: “This is focused on adults, parents and homeowners, anyone who can make a difference.

“Kitchen knives are the most frequently used homicide weapons at 41.6 per cent of all cases and are the most commonly used sharp instrument for homicides committed in the home, accounting for a staggering 76 per cent of cases.

“These statistics underscore the importance for provision of safer alternatives.”

Councillor Anderson’s motion to full council urges individuals to take responsibility for knives in their homes and outlines support for the switch to blunt-end knives.

It also calls for the expansion of knife disposal point initiatives and for greater awareness on knife safety.

Councillor Lee McStein, lead cabinet member for crime prevention, seconded the motion and told colleagues it supports the local authority’s efforts to tackle domestic abuse.

He said: “This is a common-sense approach. Anything we can do to save a life in this borough is absolutely critical and I appeal to absolutely everyone to support this.”

The chamber also heard that although Wigan Borough does not have high rates of knife crime, the council would take a lead role in setting an example.

Several anti-knife crime initiatives have rolled out across Wigan Borough recently as part of the work of the Wigan Borough Community Safety Partnership.

Knife disposal bins have been installed at prominent locations as public and voluntary organisations join forces to share anti-knife messages and training.

Meanwhile, several ‘bleed kits’ are now available and Stop the Bleed training sessions are taking place at a range of hospitality venues.

All schools across the borough have been offered anti-knife crime awareness sessions.

For more information, visit our Knife bins and bleed kits webpages.