Milton Keynes Council is part-funding a new knife crime prevention learning zone at Hazard Alley Safety Centre.
Last year, Milton Keynes Council allocated £100,000 to support local projects targeted at stopping young people in Milton Keynes from being drawn into knife crime.
Knife crime has increased in Milton Keynes over the past few years, in line with national trends, and the city has seen several murders in this time.
The Council is currently working with partners from across Milton Keynes – including Thames Valley Police, health and representatives from the education sector – to identify projects where funding would have the most impact.
That is why Milton Keynes Council has given the Safety Centre £40,000 to help deliver its newest interactive learning zone at Hazard Alley, which simulates a typical British high street, along with an additional £10,600 from the Safer MK partnership.
Cllr Lauren Townsend, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: "We’re committed to doing all we can to stop knife crime in Milton Keynes, and our work with local partners is vital in helping us do that.
"The new scenario at Hazard Alley, combined with an education programme delivered by trained volunteers, will educate children and young people about the dangers of knife crime in a safe environment, building their resilience and developing the skills they need to help them enjoy their childhood and adolescence without the fear of or risk of being groomed into criminal and violent behaviour."
The Safety Centre Hazard Alley was the first interactive learning centre of its kind in the world and delivers safety education to thousands of children and young people throughout Milton Keynes and the surrounding area every year.
Maya Joseph-Hussain, CEO of the Safety Centre, added: "We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with MK Council, Safer MK and other local agencies to create a brand new sustainable and engaging education zone at Hazard Alley to help reduce knife crime in our city."
Kelly Gardner, Deputy Commander for the Milton Keynes Local Policing Area, said: "We’re pleased to have been able to work with MK Council to support this new project at Hazard Alley.
"Education is such a key part of preventing young people from being criminally exploited and the new innovative and interactive prevention programme will benefit local children for many years to come."
Construction of the new knife crime prevention learning zone at Hazard Alley will start at the beginning of March and is expected to be completed later this month.
