A school-based programme which helps young people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight avoid being exploited or drawn into knife crime has been extended, thanks to a funding boost of more than £73,000 from Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones.
‘Choices’ is targeted at pupils in Year 6 and 7 (aged 10-12) to offer extra support during the potentially vulnerable transition period from primary to secondary school. It aims to empower them to make positive decisions in an ever-changing world and includes teacher training, teacher-led classroom sessions and theatre-based pupil workshops.
The programme is part of a comprehensive approach to the prevention of serious violence, coordinated by the PCCs’ Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).
Donna Jones has reaffirmed her commitment to the project, by agreeing to extend the funding for it until March 2026, which sees the project’s total funding reach £360,000.
Since Choices was first introduced in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, it has been delivered to 7,665 pupils and 445 school staff, across 92 schools. After training, 92% of staff reported feeling more confident, with 90% more knowledgeable in using creative thinking to reduce risks related to county lines, knife crime and exploitation.
Speaking about the extension of the programme, Donna has said:
“It is vital that we help these young people to make the right choices at a time of great change in their lives. I am delighted to be able to extend the reach of this Choices programme into the new school year.
“Research shows that children in year 6 and 7 are more likely to disengage from education and because of that, they are more vulnerable to exploitation or getting involved in crime.
Article continues below this advertisement “Knife crime, gang violence and county lines drug operations are all risks for children at this age if they make the wrong decisions.
“This innovative Choices programme aims to reduce that risk, while enabling children to make healthy decisions, build positive relationships and respond in the right way when facing potentially risky situations.”
