As part of Operation Sceptre – the national week of action against knife crime and the Constabulary’s own peer-on-peer campaign Never Choose Knives – school children on the Isle of Wight have been visited by ex-gang member Omar Sharif, to hear his experiences and inspire them early in life to make positive life choices.
Omar Sharif, 27, is a Pride of Britain award winner and runs his own company ‘Omar Inspires’. Omar spends his time travelling all around the UK delivering educational and empowering seminars at schools, colleges and key note speaking at conferences.
Growing up in London where gun and knife crime were a way of life, Omar became involved in a gang when he was 16-years-old. But when 3 of his friends died as a result of knife crime, it was a horrifying wake-up call and Omar knew things needed to change.
Omar moved to a different part of the city, despite pressure from gang members, to start again. However, when the business he set up didn’t take off, he became homeless. Omar then made a bigger decision to move outside of London to start over and says it was the fresh start that he needed in order to find the confidence and new sense of direction.
On Tuesday (17th September) and Wednesday (18th September), Omar joined officers from the Island’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams to speak about his experiences to more than 2,000 pupils at Priory School in Whippingham, Medina College in Newport, Ryde Private School, The Island Learning Centre in Newport, Christ the King College in Newport, Carisbrooke Primary and Carisbrooke College in Newport and the Island Free School in Ventnor. Omar’s visit to the Island was organised by local officers and was well received by children at each location.
Omar said:
“It’s important for teenagers to understand the consequences of carrying a knife and that there is an alternative, even if they are feeling pressured by their peer group.
“A lot of (young) people caught carrying a knife aren’t carrying a knife with the intent to hurt someone, they carry a knife because they think it’ll make them feel safe. That’s why I started carrying a knife… the problem with that is… it doesn’t protect you.
Article continues below this advertisement “Young people can often feel lost and unsure of what to do about knife crime, my experiences will hopefully inspire these young children that there are more positive choices out having heard first hand my struggles and seeing we all can choose a happier and fulfilling future away from the misery and fear of violence.
“I fully support the #NeverChooseKnives campaign, the focus is on those vulnerable people living within our communities who could be targeted by others connected with drug and knife-related crime, which can have a devastating impact”.
Chief Inspector for the Isle of Wight, Rob Brind said:
“Whilst the Isle of Wight is not considered a hot spot for knife crime, Op Sceptre has enabled officers and partners to emphasise preventative measures with young children by educating them early about the risk and consequences of carrying a knife. This information has equipped them to realise that they are more at risk than if they were unarmed, we have been able to signpost them to the help that is available through a trusted adult or speaking to us on 101, or anonymously through www.fearless.org.
“It’s preventative solutions such as this that will continue to keep our young people and communities safer on the Isle of Wight.”
Number of children and young people on the Isle of Wight caught carrying knives:
(All possession of weapons offences with ‘bladed implement’ linked, with a suspect under the age of 25)
2016/17 – 12
2017/18 – 15
2018/19 – 16
If you are a young person, parent or teacher worried about knife crime, visit the Safe4Me website and find out more about the #NeverChooseKnives campaign at https://www.safe4me.com.
If you notice unusual activity in your street, or you are concerned about someone carrying a knife, call Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Video produced by Wight Media Services
Akin to so called EX IRA members ending up with ‘cushy’ well paid for, easy political postion jobs by ‘supposedly’ turning over a new leaf. ONLY because it gives the ‘feel good’ factor to the naïve community giving the wrong ‘impression’ that ‘If one could do this, then they all could’.
They won’t, only one in ten thousand, and then only because they have an easier life out of it. The other 9999 can’t so will carry on being vile AND spawning out ever more ‘clones’ from puberty upwards.
SEE it how it really ‘is’ NOT how the media try to imply. Then VOTE accordingly.
This person has changed his life around and is now trying to change other people’s. We all deserve a second chance in life and I think he is amazing. He’s been there himself and now he’s trying to show other people that this isn’t the answer. Who better to show young people that this isn’t the way to go than someone who has been there himself. He’s not making excuses for what he’s done in the past, he’s trying to make a difference. I hope he keeps going with what he is doing and showing us all that people no matter what age or background they can change their lives around for the better