So you are a parent or guardian and want to know what you can do to ensure your child stays safe and clear of the dangers of guns and knives? You are in the right place. If there is a gun or a knife in your child’s hands, it’s in your hands to stop it.

• The best way to keep young people safe is to talk to them about the potential dangers
• Understand the law yourself
• Talking can be very difficult, but keep trying. Your child may be scared or unwilling to talk. It is hard to talk to your child about gun and knife crime, but not half as hard as never talking to them again
• A young person might think they need to start carrying a weapon because they feel threatened. Look out for:
  • Problems at school or reluctance to go to school
  • Issues of bullying or theft of personal items
  • A new network of friends
• Sometimes you may suspect that your child is carrying a knife. For example you may discover a knife missing from the kitchen or they may be behaving evasively
• Seek advice from teachers, friends and the police
• Get in touch with your local neighbourhood policing team who will give you more advice about the law on guns and knives. You could ask them to talk to your child directly
• Do not allow your child to play with air rifles or BB guns, these items can cause as much damage as real weapons. Watch Mark’s story.
• If your child has an air rifle or BB gun dispose of it safely by bringing it to your local police station. Find out how.