Drop the Knife: Our Park, Our Voices
Drop the Knife was a six-week creative awareness project designed to give young people the opportunity to explore the realities of knife crime, challenge misconceptions, and share their views through art and conversation.
Working in partnership with Preston North End Community Education Trust (PNECET), supported by funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner, the project brought together education, creativity, and community action to create meaningful dialogue around an issue affecting many young people.
Throughout the project, participants took part in interactive sessions with local police officers, learning about the legal consequences of carrying a knife, the risks involved, and the impact knife crime has on individuals, families, and communities. These discussions created a safe space for honest conversations, allowing young people to ask questions, challenge perceptions, and reflect on the choices they face.
Using these discussions as inspiration, young people explored their thoughts and experiences through character design, drawing, and collaborative creative activities. Working alongside artist Mr. Doodley, they transformed their ideas into a large-scale community mural, unveiled as part of the Encounter Festival.
As the project progressed, several clear messages emerged from the young people themselves:
- Carrying a knife doesn’t make you safer; it can put everyone at greater risk.
- Many young people carry knives because of fear, peer pressure, or a desire to fit in.
- Walking away from conflict takes courage and strength.
- If someone feels unsafe or worried, speaking to a trusted adult or seeking support is important.
- One decision can have life-changing consequences, affecting not only the individual but also their family, friends, and wider community.
Participants encouraged their peers to think about the choices they make and the future they want for themselves.
Through creativity, discussion, and shared experiences, they highlighted that there are always alternatives to violence and that positive opportunities, support networks, and trusted relationships can help young people find a different path.
Drop the Knife wasn’t about telling young people what to think. It was about listening to their voices, giving them the facts, and empowering them to use their creativity to inspire safer choices within their communities.