Joint Enterprise law explained in new films from Northumbria VRU

Short films made with North East actors have been made to help children understand how the Joint Enterprise laws may be applied when more than one person is involved in a violent incident.

They are the latest addition to Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit’s Knives Impact Everyone campaign, released last summer, to raise awareness of the impact and consequences of knife crime.  

Both videos show a group of young people describing how an incident involving a knife can have a devastating impact on so many, as well as leading to lengthy sentences for those involved.

Kim McGuinness (Image: Contributor)Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness said: “Carrying a knife is never the right choice – that’s what these videos are all about.

“They are a crucial resource, helping young people understand the impact and consequences of knife crime.

“Often, young people tell us that they don’t really understand the implications of Joint Enterprise, so education really is key here.”

The Violence Reduction Unit commissioned Northern Stage, a theatre production company in Newcastle, to produce the videos alongside young people.

 A series of workshops took place where young people from schools in Newcastle, as well as those with lived experience, were able to provide their thoughts and views to inform the content and style of the videos.  

Now available to primary and secondary school settings, the videos are a vital resource in the Violence Reduction Unit’s Education Team toolkit, where learning around the impact and consequences of knife crime, and a range of other serious violence topics, are delivered to thousands of young people all year round.

Most read

• Heroic off-duty firefighter saved life of man who fell into river from bridge
• County Durham mum who had lung removed welcomes plan to outlaw cigarette smoking
• New date set for bail hearing of Darlington man accused of killing one-year-old

Get more from The Northern Echo and start 2024 informed with 50 per cent off an annual subscription or enjoy 3 months for just £3. Click here 

Commissioner McGuinness “Through the Violence Reduction Unit’s dedicated education team offering a whole programme of learning activity, to videos like this made all the more powerful by hearing directly from young people, and through information provided in our Knives Impact Everyone campaign, we aim to breakdown complex topics and help young people make informed choices.

 “Sadly, our region has experienced the devastation of knife crime, but I don’t want to see another life lost to this horrific crime.”

The watch the videos use these links to see the primary and secondary school versions.

The campaign has the support of the Northern Echo, which launched North East Knife Crime Taskforce, as part of an initiative following the murders of several teenagers in the region in recent years.

Kate Denby, executive director at Northern Stage, said: "The videos perfectly demonstrate the power of arts and creativity to reach young people and communicate important issues in an accessible and impactful way.

“Empowering young people and giving them the tools to make informed choice is central to the work of Northern Stage, and this project will, I'm sure, make a real difference to our community.”