Weapons

Support for issues raised in Circle North, Episode Four: Joint Enterprise

In Joint Enterprise, Ben’s friends are worried when they hear his new mates have been seen out carrying knives. He’s defensive and it seems he might be hiding something.

Grace shares how Ben isn’t all that different to Jamie; a boy who she knew who felt he had to carry a weapon for his protection. Although he didn’t use it himself, taking it to the scene of a fatal street fight meant that he was convicted murder. Ben’s true friends are trying to protect him and help him see that carrying a weapon makes things more dangerous for everyone.

Why might someone carry a weapon?

For protection in case of being attacked
Being brought up in a household where carrying a knife is acceptable
To make themselves feel like the ‘Alpha Dog’ amongst their peers
Because they are not able to have a fist fight, and feel that a weapon will back them up
To gain ‘respect’
For their own mental safety, i.e. in their mind that they are safe
For others to fear them
Forced to carry knives for older gang members, as the police wouldn’t suspect someone of their age to carrying a knife

Getting Help

Where safe and possible, a weapon should be returned to where it came from. If not, they should be safely disposed of.

You can contact your police force anonymously or search online to find out how weapons can be surrendered to the police. Often this can be done without the need for giving any personal details.

The NSPCC and Childline have some advice for anyone worried that they are involved in weapon or knife crime here.

If you have a concern about someone carrying or using an offensive weapon you can help reduce the risk by speaking anonymously to Fearless or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or call Childline on 0800 111.

Fearless or Crimestoppers
0800 555 111
crimestoppers-uk.org

Childline – support provided by the NSPCC
0800 111
childline.org.uk

If someone is in immediate danger call 999.

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