Campaigns
Welcome to our Campaigns page, here you’ll find all the latest information about ongoing and upcoming campaigns, each designed to make a positive impact and drive meaningful change around serious violence and knife crime.
This page is a one stop shop for local and national campaigns that you can access and use on your platforms. We have done the hard work bringing them all together for you so you can sit back relax.
Get Involved
Join us in making a difference! Each campaign offers unique opportunities for you to contribute, from spreading awareness though to educating the community. By working together with a shared vision we can amplify the messages and create real, lasting change.
Stay Updated
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Thank you for being part of the journey. Together, we can build a better future.
Click on the campaigns below to find out more and download assets and resources.
What is knife crime awareness week?
Reducing knife crime is business as usual for Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary all year round, however twice a year during May and November knife crime awareness week (Op Sceptre) takes place. This is an intensification week where activity is implemented across Hampshire to target knife crime, take knives off the street and educate children, families and communities.
Resources:
Letters:
In November 2023 we wrote to all secondary schools with a letter for parents and carers around knife crime. This was very well received, and schools told us we should include primary schools so in May 2024 we did this. To reach more parents and carers we also worked with housing providers send a letter via their networks. We know if we talk about knife crime we raise awareness and encourage parents and carers to talk to their children.
Please click the links below to download the letters to use in your networks.
- π Knife Crime Awareness Letter - Parents and Carers May 2024
- π Knife Crime Awareness Letter - Primary Schools May 2024
- π Knife Crime Awareness Letter - Housing Providers May 2024Β
Videos:
In 2024 we worked with Ellie from the OPCC Youth Commission to share her message about knife crime. We hope this recourse will also help you to talk to parents, carers and the community about serious violence.
π» Ellie's Message About Knife Crime Awareness
Communications and media assets
The Violence Reduction Unit have produced a communications and media assets to help you get involved and share information with the children, young people and community you work with. The focus of the assets are around reporting it, getting support, and awareness raising. Much of the information can be used at any time of the year so although we would encourage you to use it during knife crime awareness week please feel free to use it at any time.
Please adapt to suit your audience or platform and if there is anything else you think would help share the conversation wider please get in touch with the Violence Reduction Unit by emailing - vru@hampshire.police.uk
What is We Walk Away?
Walk Away, created by Leicestershire Police, is a behaviour change campaign which aims to prevent deaths and serious injuries caused by a person being assaulted on a night out, often as a result of drunken behaviour, or split-second errors of judgement.
It was initially launched ahead of the festive season in 2023 and has been refreshed with football-specific assets with funding from the Home Office.Β The campaign targets mainly men, aged 18-30, who are most likely to be a victim or suspect of such behaviour. It also calls on friends and bystanders of potential offenders, as well as members of the public, to de-escalate situations when itβs safe to.
Communications and media assets:
Leicestershire Police have put together a toolbox which includes:
Campaign guidance (social media guidance and stakeholder engagement information)
- Campaign activation guide (brand guidelines, background, key messages and strategy)
- Social media assets, graphics and videos
- Print assets β posters, takeaway food stickers, queue barrier banners
- Spotify ad script
- Digital ads
- Press release and intranet article templates
For more information on this campaign please get in touch with the National Police Chiefs Council via email on - info@npcc.police.uk
We know that talking about serious violence to children and young people can be really hard. We also know that taking about it can be a really effective method in helping to reduce it.
The below are a serious of recourses that the Violence Reduction Partnership have created to support you in your understanding of serious violence and knife crime.
Please note, we are in the process of designing some social media assets around serious violence for you to use on you channels. Please check back to see progress and if you have any suggestions about what might be helpful please let us know via email at vru@hampshire.police.uk
Please CLICK the documents below to view and download:
π VRP Serious Violence Toolkit
The Violence Reduction Partnership Toolkit, endorsed by multiple safeguarding boards, supports a coordinated approach to preventing serious violence and enhancing support for victims and their families. It's designed to improve understanding and response to children's needs and risks, and is accessible to all practitioners in the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton areas.
Webinars:
π» Ben Kinsella Trust, Serious Violence and Knife Crime - How to have Honest Conversations
Useful Documents:
Is Your Child Safe campaign which is aimed at parents and carers to raise awareness of child exploitation and offer help on how to see the signs, what to do and where to get help.
If you would like to support this campaign, please use the attached media pack to download the campaign images and use the suggested wording provided. The campaign will be running throughout the summer holidays therefore it is advisable to post one a week on your channels.
For the last two years The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in partnership with Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council have used the campaign in partnership to raise awareness.
Child exploitation is happening now in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. The signs are subtle, which is why it is called a hidden harm.
The campaign aims to:
- Help parents and carers see the signs of exploitation
- Inform them on what they can do
- Tell them where they can get help
September is a time of significant change for young people aged with many facing new school years, transitioning to college or university, starting new jobs, or navigating personal changes.
The VRP have developed this campaign with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission which aims to help young people embrace these transitions with confidence, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and empowered to take positive actions.
Campaign Objectives:
1. Promote Awareness: Educate students on the importance of safety and
making positive choices during times of transition.
2. Empower Action: Provide students with practical strategies and tools to
handle transitions confidently.
3. Encourage Community: Foster a sense of support and connectedness
among students as they navigate these changes together.
The main focus is a Digital Campaign - #EmbraceTheChange Challenge:
A social media campaign where young people share stories, tips, or experiences related to transitions and positive actions they've taken to cope with times of change.
Please use the communications and media pack to get involved.