NEWS


COLLEGE CREATIVES HELP ANTI-KNIFE CRIME INITIATIVE


A student-led project on knife crime prevention aims to make a real difference in Hampshire


College students put their creative skills to the test when they were given the opportunity to work with officers from Hampshire Constabulary in a bid to spread vital messages on knife crime. Officers briefed digital media students from Eastleigh College about the issue and its potential impact on young adults. The students were able to use their knowledge to design and create media products, such as posters and animations. Knife crime across the county has soared by 58 per cent in a decade. Meanwhile, neighbouring county Surrey has seen the worst increase in England and Wales with a shocking 509 per cent rise across the past 10 years with


497 offences recorded between July 2020 and June 2021, compared with 72 in 2010.


The real-life project forms part of their assessment, giving the students the opportunity to work on a current issue. “We are really pleased to be working


in partnership with Eastleigh College and their learners to tackle this important issue,” said Eastleigh District Commander, Chief Inspector Marcus Cator. “This forms part of our ongoing work in the community focusing on tackling and disrupting the importation and supply of knives, targeting those who carry and use knives and preventing people from engaging in knife crime.


“We hope this student-led project has given learners some perspective on the dangers and consequences of knife crime and, as a result, they are now in a better position to share key messages and learnings with their peers.” Sarah Ferrand, course tutor, said: “Not only have the learners worked on an industry-led project, but they have learnt about the local issues surrounding knife crime in our area, which has been very enlightening to everyone involved. The Digital Industries team has really enjoyed working with Hampshire Constabulary and we look forward to working with them again on future campaigns.”


HERO OFFICERS SAVE MOTORCYCLIST


Two frontline officers have been praised for using first aid skills to help save the life of a motorcyclist who was trapped under a van


PCs Alex Grace and Mark McPhee from the Swale-based Local Policing Team were about to take a well-deserved break when they urgently responded to a road accident in Bobbing, Kent. After arriving at the scene, they saw a rider had suffered severe injuries after coming off his motorcycle. Bystanders did their best to assist the young man, who was lying under a van, but Alex and Mark stepped in and used their training to take control of the situation. Alex, who has been in the job


since 2013 and received three Chief Constable awards for outstanding service, bravely climbed under the unsteady vehicle to assess the situation. He discovered the rider was hardly breathing.


“I opened his visor and saw


he was clearly struggling,” Alex recalled. “You could see from the lack of motion from his chest that the man was having difficulties, so I removed the helmet and cleared his blocked airway. “At this point adrenalin took


over, and I didn’t have a lot of time to think about the fact I was underneath a van which was only held up by blocks. “Although he had tyre marks on his chest and was clearly in a bad way, thankfully he responded to my CPR and I was relieved to see he started to breathe.” While under the van, Alex


was supported by his partner PC McPhee, who coordinated assistance from South East


Coast Ambulance Service for the injured rider. “Mark did a brilliant job of ensuring the scene of the accident was safe for other road users and by organising concerned bystanders who wanted to help but lacked expertise,” said Alex. “I couldn’t have done what I did without him, and it was a great example of teamwork involving colleagues from the ambulance services who fully played their part. “It just goes to show that the yearly first aid refreshers we do each year in Kent are worth their weight in gold. Thanks to this life-saving training, Mark and I were able to help save this young man’s life.” Kent Police District


PC Alex Grace


Commander Chief Inspector Joel Mitchell praised the brave duo who “undoubtedly saved the life of the rider”. “Their quick thinking and


flawless teamwork helped a member of the public when they were in need of help the most. They should be very proud of themselves.” The rider has made a full recovery following the incident last November.


05 | POLICE | FEBRUARY 2022


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