Sefton Council’s Leader is calling for greater recognition of the “devastating impact” of knife harm in our community, as she vows to strengthen ways of tackling the issue.
Cllr Marion Atkinson will ask councillors to join her in setting out a range of measures to reduce knife crime at the full Sefton Council meeting at Bootle Town Hall next Thursday (17th September 2026).
She is keen to work closely with other bodies such as Merseyside Police to take action while also informing children and young people through education and awareness programmes.
She said: “Knife harm has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities across Sefton and the wider Liverpool City Region.
“Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, schools, health partners and community organisations are already working together to prevent serious violence and support safer communities.
“Evidence-based approaches are essential in reducing knife harm and serious violence, and the experiences of victims, survivors and bereaved families should help inform the development of violence prevention initiatives.
“There is growing national interest in prevention, education and safer design approaches as part of wider efforts to reduce knife-related harm.”
Cllr Atkinson is asking councillors across Sefton to support the council to:
1. Work with Merseyside Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, health partners, schools and community organisations to strengthen co-ordinated approaches to reducing knife harm in Sefton.
2. Review current community safety, safeguarding and public health initiatives to identify opportunities to further support evidence-based prevention activity within available resources.
3. Continue to support education, awareness and prevention programmes that help children, young people, families and communities understand the risks associated with carrying knives and the consequences of serious violence.
4. Request a report to Safer Sefton Together Partnership setting out:
o Current activity across the Council and its partners to reduce knife harm and serious violence;
o Opportunities for further evidence-based action;
o Any resource, funding and implementation implications associated with potential new initiatives.
5. Request that the Safer Sefton Together Partnership invite representatives from programmes such as Lets Be Blunt, Mentors in Violence Prevention and Think Fast to present to a future meeting, enabling partners to consider the evidence base, understand the range of initiatives being promoted, and explore how any relevant approaches could complement existing work to prevent knife harm and serious violence across Sefton.
Cllr Atkinson said: “Sefton Council further resolves to reaffirm its commitment to preventing serious violence, supporting safer communities, and working with partners to reduce knife harm through practical, evidence-based action.”
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