Parents attended an awareness evening to learn about the dangers of their children becoming involved with knife crime, gangs and county lines – with over 40 attendees.
Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership organised the event in conjunction with Meryfield Community Primary School in Borehamwood, which aimed to teach parents how to spot the signs that their child could be at risk of becoming involved in criminality.
Alison Cope, the mother of Joshua Ribera who was murdered in 2013, spoke about the realities of knife crime. She reassured parents and encouraged them to support their child, learn more, to openly discuss these topics and seek help if needed. Prior to the evening session, Alison spent the day at the school, speaking to young people in years five and six.
Laurelle Brown from KIP (Knowledge is Power) Education spoke about gangs, county lines, grooming and how to spot the signs.
At the awareness session, parents heard about the harsh realities of county lines, which is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines.
It was explained how drug dealers identify young people, the grooming process and the young people’s roles within county lines. Parents were informed of the signs that young people display when they are involved in gangs and county lines, what parents should look out for, such as changes in their behaviour, use of new slang words and new friends that they may have met online.
If you have any concerns around drug and knife crime in Hertsmere, you can get in touch with the police on the non-emergency number 101. If a crime is in progress, always call 999.
For more information about knife crime, gangs and drugs, visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org and https://www.fearless.org/en.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The awareness session took place on Wednesday 10 October.
For more information or to arrange a workshop at your school, contact Loran Kingston on loran.kingston@hertsmere.gov.uk or call 020 8207 2277.
Read the full press release.
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