Medical experts to highlight dangers of weapons

Published: 2 December, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

Surgeons will show results of knife and gun crime in schools

SURGEONS who treat patients with gunshot and knife wounds will be sent into classrooms in an attempt to show youngsters the devasta­ting consequences of youth violence.

Camden Council is planning to introduce the graphic talks to pupils as young as 11 next year in an attempt to strip away the glamour some young people associate with carrying weapons.

It is part of an anti-crime education scheme launched in all nine secondary schools in the borough last week called Justice Days.

They also include a hard-hitting talk from an ex-criminal currently in an open prison who speaks about his experiences after committing armed robbery as well as presentations from the Met Police and gay rights campaigners about homophobic crime and gang violence.

Details about the surgeon talks are still being worked out, but a council source said they hope to involve trauma consultants from University College Hospital when the visits begin in January. 

They are expected to tackle the perception that knife wounds can be patched up by showing pupils footage from operating theatres as well as challenging the “street mentality” that sees scars as a badge of honour.

The programme stresses the consequences of violence and marks a change in direction from other initiatives, which are typically led by youth workers outside the classroom and work with teenagers.

Information provided by Camden Council states: “The aim behind the day is to look at the consequences of actions. The day starts with an assembly introducing why we are there, explaining to young people that all actions have consequences and that we have the choice whether to make the right one or not. 

“This is then followed by a brief DVD where three young men describe what life is like in prison and how and why they are there. The year group then break off into their tutor groups where they will take part in six or seven workshops throughout the day.” 

Workshops are also run by the Fire Brigade, Transport for London, Victim Support and Camden Council.

Councillor Abdul Hai, cabinet member for community safety, said: “This is about making youth violence real. It is in-your-face to go against the idea that crime is fashionable. It is about engaging young people by getting their attention, making them understand their actions have consequences.”

Mark Mayne, deputy head at Hampstead School, said: “We are the first school to have taken part and it was a great success. Students are bombarded by a lot of messages about gun and knife crime. 

“This is good because it is direct and from people involved in the frontline. 

“Young people re­spond to that. I would support the idea of surgeons being part of the scheme, as long as the quality of the presentations remain high.”