Knife crime first aid session held for young people

The session has been organised by South Central Ambulance Service

First aid training aimed at teaching young people how to treat victims of knife crime is set to be held by an ambulance service.

The South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) event in Langley, Slough, is part of the service's February campaign to raise awareness of knife crime.

Wednesday's workshop will see young people taught the "vital first aid interventions" required after a stabbing, SCAS said.

Charity The Ben Kinsella Trust said 50,000 knife crime incidents were reported in the UK in 2024, with the Langley area in particular having an above average rate of stabbings.

SCAS said it was working with various groups, including Thames Valley Police and Slough Youth Parliament, to give what it called a "holistic approach to knife crime prevention and awareness".

Mark Ainsworth-Smith, a consultant pre-hospital care practitioner for SCAS, said: "Tragically, we see a significant number of deaths caused by knife crime and violence in our ambulance service every year.

"Every one of those deaths is a tragedy for families and friends, and they cause terrible trauma to emergency responders, such as the police and ambulance service who have to respond and deal with the consequences."

The workshop is also being held alongside Slough Borough Council.

Ishrat Shah, the authority's public health and protection chief, said he was "pleased" that the activity was taking place during half-term.

"Langley has sadly seen fatalities due to knife crime, so educating young people and preventing future tragedies is important," he said.

Wednesday's free event will be held at Kederminster Hall in Langley and is open to young people aged between 11 and 18.

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