By Louise Cherry
I was proud to represent the Oasis GM PACS team at the Violence Reduction Unit's Let's Be Blunt Round Table event, held at The Point, Old Trafford. Bringing together leaders, practitioners and advocates from across sectors, the event focused on one of the most pressing issues facing our communities today: how we work collaboratively to prevent knife crime and reduce serious violence.
The day brought together an impressive and diverse group of delegates including those from education, government, policing, health, community safety partnerships, universities, charities, retail and community organisations. This broad representation reflected a key message that resonated throughout the event, tackling knife crime is not the responsibility of any one sector alone. Meaningful change requires a whole-system approach, with every organisation playing its part.
The programme featured a series of inspirational speakers who shared their expertise, experiences and commitment to violence reduction. We heard from people such as Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Greater Manchester; Minister Jones, Minister of State for Policing and Crime; Dr Leisa Nichols-Drew, forensic scientist; representatives from Greater Manchester Police; Jess Phillips MP; Commando Chef CSgt Mike Beaton MBE; Pooja Kanda OBE; behavioural scientist Laura Vega; and, of course, Leanne Lucas, founder of Let's Be Blunt, whose passion and determination continue to drive this important movement forward.
One of the most powerful themes of the day was the importance of evidence-led prevention. Discussions highlighted research and practical interventions that can reduce opportunities for harm before violence occurs. A particularly compelling example was the development and promotion of Viners round-tip kitchen knives. These knives have been designed to significantly reduce the risk of serious injury while maintaining their functionality for everyday cooking tasks.
The rationale for this initiative is supported by stark evidence. Research shows that approximately 76% of all domestic homicides involve a sharp instrument, and as many as 77% of those sharp instruments are ordinary kitchen knives found in the home. This highlights a crucial reality: many acts of serious violence are committed not with specialist weapons, but with everyday household items that are readily available.
The science behind round-tip knives demonstrates that removing the pointed tip substantially reduces the ability of the blade to penetrate the body and cause life-threatening injuries. While no single intervention can eliminate violence, evidence suggests that design changes such as these can form part of a broader public health approach to violence prevention, reducing harm while preserving the practical use of the product. It was refreshing to hear from a Morrisons representative in the room who announced that they have banned the sale of all pointed tip knives in their stores.
Throughout the event, speakers reinforced the need to move beyond reactive responses and invest in prevention, education, early intervention and environmental design. We heard powerful personal stories alongside scientific evidence, policy perspectives and practical examples of what is working in communities across the country. In Wigan, the introduction of knife disposal bins across the borough has resulted in the collection of more than 5,663 sharp instruments to date, highlighting the value of practical measures that help reduce harm and improve community safety.
For Oasis GM PACS, the event was a valuable opportunity to learn from experts, strengthen partnerships and contribute to the wider conversation about keeping our communities safe. It reinforced the importance of collaboration across sectors and the role that all of us can play in creating environments where young people can thrive free from violence.
My thanks go to Leanne Lucas, the Violence Reduction Unit and all the speakers and organisers for delivering such an impactful and thought-provoking event. The conversations, insights and connections made during the day will undoubtedly help shape future work across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Preventing knife crime is everyone's business. Events such as Let's Be Blunt remind us that by bringing together evidence, experience and collective action, we can make meaningful progress towards safer communities for all.
