Blackpool South MP Chris Webb and Police and Crime Commissioner back £5,000 anti-knife crime scheme

A summer campaign aims to keep youngsters on the straight and narrow and protect them from knife crime and exploitation by criminal gangs.

The scheme - which has the backing of Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, - encourages young people to “Drop the Blade, Pick a Trade” and has received £5,000 funding through the Commissioner’s Community Fund, following support from Blackpool South MP Chris Webb.

The programme will run over the summer holidays and provide “structured daily activities” for those most at risk of being sucked into crime and anti-social behaviour.

Taking place at the Rosscon Training Unit, the scheme will combine practical skills training, mentoring, and targeted prevention work to support positive life choices.

It will include hands-on training in construction and green skills, alongside workshops focused on knife crime awareness, substance misuse, and the consequences of criminal activity.

Participants will also benefit from sport, wellbeing sessions, and creative activities designed to build confidence and resilience.

Police officers will take part in prevention sessions, helping to build relationships with young people and strengthen trust within the community.

The situation in Blackpool

The rates of crime and anti-social behaviour in Blackpool remain among the highest in Lancashire, with young people disproportionately affected.

Mr Grunshaw said: “This is a fantastic example of how we can use money taken from criminals to invest in prevention and create real opportunities for young people.

“We know the summer holidays can be a high-risk period for some young people, particularly those vulnerable to exploitation or involvement in crime. Providing structured activity, support and positive role models is absolutely vital in helping to break that cycle.

“Programmes like this not only reduce the risks in the short-term, but also support longer-term outcomes by helping young people build skills, confidence and pathways into education, training and employment.”

Crime rates

Earlier this month, government crime figures revealed Blackpool is the most dangerous town in Lancashire with an overall rate of 129 crimes per 1,000 people - 80 per cent higher than the rate for the rest of the county.

Blackpool had the worst crime rate in Lancashire for theft from the person, with 23 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.14 per 1,000 daytime population.

May 2023 was also a bad month for Blackpool residents, when it was again Lancashire's most dangerous area for theft from the person, recording 18 crimes at a rate of 0.11 per 1,000 daytime population.

The most common crimes in Blackpool are violence and sexual offences, with 10,974 offences during 2026.

Mr Webb MP said: "I'm so pleased to have helped secure funding for this programme at Rosscon, which has a strong track record of giving young people practical skills and real opportunities.

"The summer holidays can be a difficult time for some young people and it can become easier for them to get drawn into anti-social behaviour and crime. We need to get ahead of those problems, rather than waiting until the damage is done.

"This project gives young people structure, support and the chance to learn skills they can use in the future, helping them stay safe and make positive choices.

“Visiting Rosscon it’s clearer than ever that when we back our young people they step up. That's what this funding will help deliver over the summer."