Walsall Knife Awareness Project
FNB Mentoring & Coaching

Are you safe in Walsall?

Your voice matters. Help us understand what's really happening and how we can make our community safer.

No names. No judgement.

FNB Mentoring and Coaching
Q1 / 16
~7 min left
Question 01
Q1a — Age group
What is your age group?
"In Walsall, the most common age group for knife crime victims and suspects alike is 15 to 19 years old. Understanding who is most at risk is the first step to keeping our community safe."
Garfield MeredithDirector of FNB Mentoring and Coaching
Q1b — Gender
How do you identify?
Question 02
Which part of Walsall do you live, work or visit?
📍 Your postcode helps us map knife crime hotspots — no personal data is stored.

📍 Walsall Knife Crime — Area Overview

Total recorded offences1,500
Town Centre hotspot — Bus Station, Park St, Bradford St, Gallery Square 150
St Matthew's ward accounts for a disproportionate share of all borough offences. West Midlands Police's Operation Guardian and Operation Prosper specifically target this area.

📊 Knife Incidents by Area

Town Centre
150
Blakenall
110
Birchills & Leamore
100
Pleck
90
Palfrey
80
Willenhall
70
Darlaston
60
Bloxwich
50
Aldridge
30
Based on recorded knife offences across the borough. Source: West Midlands Police data.
Question 03
Do you think knife crime is a serious issue in Walsall?
"The most common types of knife crime in Walsall include possession of a blade, robbery and serious assault — together making up nearly 9 out of 10 offences."
🔪 The most common types of knife crime in Walsall include possession of a blade, robbery and serious assault — together making up nearly 9 out of 10 offences.
Question 04
How safe do you feel in your area after dark?
Very unsafeVery safe
Dark street at night

⚠ Who is affected in Walsall?

74%
Victims are male
26%
Victims are female
15–19
Most common age
Safety affects everyone — no gender or age group is immune from the impact of knife crime in our community.
Anna HarperCoordinator at FNB Mentoring and Coaching
Question 05
What do you think are the main reasons young people carry knives?
Select all that apply
Young people on a street
🔬 Research shows many children who carry knives do so because they feel afraid or have already been hurt. Almost half of children who commit violence have also been victims of violence themselves.
Da'mari PerkinsWalsall Resident
Mark Brindley
Founding Trustee & Director of James Brindley Foundation
Timeline of Knife-Related Incidents in Walsall
Question 06
How many knives are in your household?
Shara AdamsWalsall Resident
🔪 Most homes have several kitchen knives — these everyday items are often the ones used in incidents, not specialist blades.
"Most homes have several kitchen knives — these everyday items are often the ones used in incidents, not specialist blades."
Question 07
What do you think about knife arches in schools or public spaces?
Imrana NiaziDirector / Owner of iMatters Walsall CIC
📊 More than 99% of knife offences involving children are for possession alone. Screening is usually about prevention, not punishment.
Question 08
Have you or someone you know ever been affected by knife crime?
Hospital Accident and Emergency
📈 Across England, hospital admissions for sharp object assaults among 10–17 year olds are 46% higher than in 2013, though they have started to fall since a 2019 peak.
If yes — how did it affect you or them? (optional)
Question 09
At what age can you legally buy a knife in the UK?
Proof of age ID
18+
"The correct answer is 18. It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under 18, even if they say it is for cooking or work."
Steve BrownDirector of FNB Mentoring and Coaching
Question 10
When is it legal to carry a knife in public?
👳 👨‍🍳 🤺

⚖ Valid Reasons to Carry

👳 Religion — A Sikh kirpan is a recognised religious article
👨‍🍳 Work — A chef may carry knives for their profession
🤺 Sport — e.g. fencing equipment, properly cased

❌ Self-defence is NEVER a valid legal reason.
⚠ Carrying a knife in public is illegal in most situations. Even small knives can still lead to arrest if carried for protection or used in a threatening way. Self-defence is never a valid reason.
"Valid reasons include work, religion or sport. Self defence is never a valid legal reason — carrying a knife for protection is still a criminal offence."
Nasar IqbalDirector of Black Country Innovate and Hate Crime & Community Cohesion
Question 11
What happens if you are caught carrying a knife, even if you do not use it?
Police stop and search
⚖️ Possession alone is a serious offence. In one recent year there were over 18,000 knife offences that led to a caution or conviction in England and Wales — most of them for possession only.
Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby
West Midlands Police
What's Driving Knife Offences in Walsall
Age Groups Most Affected by Knife-Related Incidents in Walsall
Question 12
What do you think would be most effective in reducing knife-related harm in Walsall?
Select up to 2
"Evidence shows focused deterrence and social skills training can cut violent crime by around a third. Mentoring programmes reduce violent offending by about a fifth."
Michael CollyerDirector of Youth Work Europe & Lead Co-Ordinator, VCSE Walsall Families First for Children
Question 13
How important do you think knife crime education in schools is?
"Awareness sessions alone don't always cut knife crime and can even increase fear. Education works best as part of wider support that builds skills, confidence and real opportunities."
Question 14
If you knew a friend or family member was carrying a knife, what would you do?
Friends talking and supporting each other

💬 Why young people carry

😨
Status or protection
💔
Trauma or exploitation
📱
Social media pressure
🤝
Speaking up gets help
Question 15
Do you know where the nearest knife bin in Walsall is?
Yvonne MintoMentor at FNB Mentoring and Coaching
🗑 Knife bins allow people to safely dispose of blades — no questions asked. Bins are emptied by specialist teams, not the police.
🗑 High Street, Aldridge
🗑 High Street, Bloxwich
🗑 Palfrey Park, Dale Street
🗑 Spout Lane, Caldmore
🗑 Tesco, Wisemore, WS2 8EQ
🗑 Willenhall Memorial Park
These kits contain tourniquets, trauma dressings, gloves and emergency supplies to control catastrophic bleeding until emergency services arrive.
🩸 Park Place Shopping Centre, Park St
🩸 Saddlers Centre – Bridgeman St
🩸 Saddlers Centre – Park St entrance
🩸 St Paul's Bus Station
🩸 Tap & Tanner, Darwall Street
🩸 Walsall Arboretum Visitor Centre
🩸 Walsall College, Littleton St West
🩸 St Peter's Church, Bloxwich
🩸 Youth Bus – Blakenall Row
🩸 Rivers House, Slacky Lane
🩸 Aldridge Social Club, High St
🩸 The Crown, Anchor Rd, Aldridge
🩸 Shire Oak Academy, Walsall Wood
🩸 Swan Flooring, Brownhills
🩸 Pelsall Village Centre, High St
🩸 Blackwood Butchers, Streetly
🩸 Co-op, New Invention
🩸 Royal George, Willenhall
🩸 Walsall Art Gallery, WS2 8LR
Question 16
What would help you feel more confident talking about knife crime?
Select all that apply
Aqilah BrownVolunteer at FNB Mentoring and Coaching
💬 Children and young people often say they need safe spaces, trusted adults and clear information to talk honestly about knife crime and the fears behind it. Mentoring programmes have been shown to reduce violent offending by around 20%, especially when mentors understand local communities and young people's real lives.
📧 Would you like to receive updates on this survey or get involved in future projects?
✓

Thank You

Your response has been recorded and will help shape knife crime prevention work across Walsall.

On the issues you care about, here's what's already happening in Walsall:

Safer Walsall Partnership James Brindley Foundation

This survey is part of a community effort involving:

FNB Mentoring & Coaching Team
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