Young people were were told of the devastating consequences of carrying a knife as part of a special "Stop the Bleed Day".

The intiative has been organised by the citizenAID charity in partnership with Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.

GMP School Engagement Officers visited schools in Bolton, Bury and Tameside as part of it.

Officers from the Farnworth, Kearsley and Stoneclough neighbourhood team visited Prestolee Primary School.

Officers spoke to the children around the dangers of carrying knives and the impact this could cause to others.

They were also shown vital First Aid skills which could save a life.

The event is being trialled in Greater Manchester and next year citizenAID are aiming to roll it out nationally.

A raft of volunteers from policing, military, ambulance, first aid trainers and more attending fourteen schools across Greater Manchester to deliver vital life-saving training.  

 

The Bolton News: GMP officers took part in Stop the Bleed Day todayGMP officers took part in Stop the Bleed Day today (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Sergeant Lisa Quinn of GMP's Operation Venture - the team targeting serious violence - said: "The aim of today is to give young people potentially life-saving advice on how to stop traumatic bleeding. 

“Injuries are the leading cause of death amongst children and young people under the age of 40 and bleeding is the single most preventable cause of death in cases where someone is injured; for example, if they have been injured in a car accident or even if they have been a victim of knife crime.

“Operation Venture is working hard to reduce serious violence and I am pleased the figures show that knife crime fell across Greater Manchester by 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to January 2023, however we know that much more needs to be done.

“Part of this involves educating young people, supporting them to make better choices and if necessary, giving them potentially life-saving advice should they ever need it.

“I hope they will never need it, but I am grateful to citizenAID and Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit for organising this event today.

“The lessons are invaluable and could be used in any walk of life where a person is injured and could very well save lives."