The Pointless scheme, where households in at-risk areas are offered safer, rounded-edged knives in exchange for disposing of their pointed knives, aims to reduce the risk of knife crime and prevent injuries within the home. The scheme is currently in operation in the Kent and Medway region and has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of knife-related incidents.
Discussions take place with each family prior to them being offered a chance to engage.
- The main referral reasons for the Kent scheme are:
- – If the young person has been arrested for a weapon-related offence or has information suggesting they are carrying a weapon
- – The young person is coming to the attention of the police in relation to drug dealing or young street gang involvement
- – In relation to high-risk domestic abuse
Those running the scheme say it reduces the risk in the home and round-edge knives are less attractive to street-based knife crime.
“The Pointless scheme is designed to help reduce knife crime and prevent serious injuries within the home. By offering safer, rounded-edged knives in exchange for disposing of pointed knives, we aim to create a safer environment for families and individuals.
The scheme has been informed by research at De Montfort University, Leicester, which found that round-edged knives caused less damage than pointed-tip knives.
| Knife Type | Damage Caused |
|---|---|
| Blade with R-shaped tip | Significant damage to clothing and skin |
| Blade with rounded tip | No damage to clothing or skin |
| Blade with asymmetric tapered tip (sheepsfoot) | Moderate damage to clothing and skin |
| Traditional pointed-tip blade | Significant damage to clothing and skin |
| Serrated-edged blade with pointed tip | Significant damage to clothing and skin |
The research found that round-edged knives caused less damage than pointed-tip knives and that the majority of fatal injuries are caused by penetrative stabbings.
“We want to remove the need for pointed knives. The majority of fatal injuries are caused by penetrative stabbings,” said Leisa Nichols-Drew, senior lecturer in forensic science at De Montfort University.
The Pointless scheme has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of knife-related incidents and has been adopted by authorities in the Kent and Medway region.
- Manchester has some of the highest rates of knife possession crime in the country, according to statistics published earlier this year.
- Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit have confirmed that the Pointless scheme has been informed by research at De Montfort University, Leicester.
- Authorities in the region are considering adopting the scheme to reduce the risk of knife crime and prevent injuries within the home.
The scheme aims to reduce the risk of knife crime and prevent injuries within the home by offering safer, rounded-edged knives in exchange for disposing of pointed knives.
“If we could do anything, even if it’s just stopping one incident, it would be fantastic,” said Coun Luis McBriar, who strongly supports the adoption of the Pointless scheme.
The scheme has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of knife-related incidents and has the potential to make a significant impact on reducing knife crime in the region.
Authorities in the region are considering adopting the scheme to reduce the risk of knife crime and prevent injuries within the home.
The Research Behind the Scheme
The Pointless scheme has been informed by research at De Montfort University, Leicester, which found that round-edged knives caused less damage than pointed-tip knives.
- Five kitchen knives – each with a different type of blade tip – were used for ‘stab tests’ on items of clothing to examine the damage caused by each knife.
- The knives used in the experiment included: a blade with an ‘r-shaped’ tip; a blade with a rounded tip; a blade with an asymmetric tapered tip known as a ‘sheepsfoot’; a traditional pointed-tip blade; and a serrated-edged blade with pointed tip.
- The results revealed significant differences between the stab hole size and shape, depending on the design of the knife, with all but the rounded tip causing some form of damage.
The research found that round-edged knives caused less damage than pointed-tip knives and that the majority of fatal injuries are caused by penetrative stabbings.
Conclusion
The Pointless scheme aims to reduce the risk of knife crime and prevent injuries within the home by offering safer, rounded-edged knives in exchange for disposing of pointed knives.
The scheme has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of knife-related incidents and has the potential to make a significant impact on reducing knife crime in the region.
Authorities in the region are considering adopting the scheme to reduce the risk of knife crime and prevent injuries within the home.
The Pointless scheme is a promising approach to reducing knife crime and preventing injuries within the home.
“We want to remove the need for pointed knives.
