Woodside High School are having an anti knife-crime week – and all Tuesday is taken up with me and police and young people talking, with theatre and panels on how to resolve the terrible problems that carrying knives have become.

I give a ten minute introduction and then a senior police officer tells the hall (full of year 11s etc) what the police are doing. Then the Comedy Store takes over. They have a production which addresses the issue through humour, but which addresses the issues of the law, the dangers, situations, peer pressure, life choices – so much better than just talking heads.

People seemed to really enjoy it and so the panel afterwards were flooded with questions – some cheeky – but many seemed very concerned as to what they could or couldn’t do within the law. I really hope it beds in. Knives can mess it all up for a child who otherwise has a great life and great contribution ahead of them.

Full marks to Woodside for taking it so seriously and devoting proper time and effort to it. They have a fabulous police officer in the school – Velda Ewen: an absolute gift for the school – committed, enthusiastic and with just the best personality for the job! Congrats to all who took part – and to the kids – ‘cos its their lives and in the end – it’s they who have to take responsibility for their actions.