Wiltshire Police launch knife crime prevention pilot with psychologist

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 12:04 · Archive

Wiltshire Police has started a pilot project with educational psychologist Dr Brooke Hamblin to prevent young people becoming involved in knife crime.

Wiltshire Police has joined forces with educational psychologist Dr Brooke Hamblin on a pilot project to help prevent young people becoming involved in knife crime. The scheme, which began in October, focuses on early intervention and psychological assessment for those identified as high risk of involvement in violent crime.

Six young people are currently receiving support under the scheme, three of them from Swindon. The programme includes one-to-one sessions with Dr Hamblin and an assessment of their individual needs and circumstances. Dr Hamblin previously worked with a youth offending team.

Dr Hamblin explained the complexity of knife crime among young people. 'We know that knife crime is increasingly more common,' she said. 'Some young people are carrying knives as a feeling of protection, because they're aware other people do, and it's really difficult and complex to unpick. If we look at the behaviour in isolation, we'll never be able to support the young person.'

Beyond the direct support offered to young people, Dr Hamblin is delivering training to frontline and neighbourhood officers across Wiltshire and Swindon. The training sessions are designed to help officers better understand the underlying factors that can lead to youth violence, including trauma, family issues, neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and autism, and communication difficulties.

Dr Hamblin said the training programme, called 'Beyond the Behaviour', is designed to support frontline police officers in better understanding the young people they encounter, whether as victims, potential offenders or both.

How it is being reported

• Wiltshire Police launch first of its kind project in major crackdownWiltshire Police has launched a first of its kind project.Wiltshire Times · 9 Nov, 05:00
• Wiltshire Police launch first of its kind project in major crackdownWiltshire Police has launched a first of its kind project.Gazette & Herald · 9 Nov, 05:00
• Wiltshire Police launch first of its kind project in major crackdownWiltshire Police has launched a first of its kind project.Swindon Advertiser · 9 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Wiltshire Police · Dr Brooke Hamblin · Wiltshire · Swindon

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