Young people – knife crime
Works to expand Watergate School and provide a new adventure playground and multi-use games area on the Dumps site started on Monday 14 April, with the removal of the old adventure play equipment scheduled to start on Tuesday 22 April.
As part of this project, a new and improved adventure play facility will be provided, along with a high-quality multi-use games area and adjacent natural play space.
The project is expected to reach completion in late spring 2026, with play facilities available for the summer holidays and school facilities open for the start of the autumn term. Throughout the works, every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the school and local community, and youth service provision will continue onsite for as long as feasibly possible.
Carrying a knife for ‘protection’
Some young people feel they need to carry a weapon to protect themselves from gangs even if they have no intention of ever using it. However, statistics show that far from giving protection, by carrying a knife you are much more likely to be stabbed yourself.
Nothing kills a future like a knife
If you carry a knife you are putting your life and your future in danger. Carrying a weapon to protect yourself is still a crime and can carry a prison sentence of up to four years even if you don’t use it.
It is illegal to:
- carry a knife
- threaten someone with a knife
- commit a crime with the use of a weapon – like a robbery
- commit a crime by pretending you have a real knife.
Worried about gang culture or knife crime?
- contact a counsellor in confidence at Childline or call 0800 1111 at any time
- speak to an adult you trust like a parent, youth worker or other family member
- get in touch with Gangsline
- report non-urgent crime anonymously (remember: if you or someone you know is in serious danger, you should dial 999 for urgent help).