TEENAGERS having been learning important lessons on the consequences of carrying knives.

Campaigner for Mothers Against Violence, Theresa Cave, whose son was killed when he was stabbed in Redcar in 2003, joined police officers at a workshop to give students first hand information about the pain involved in losing a loved one to violence.

The workshops, which have been devised by Be Safe, a personal safety training company which works in partnership with the Home Office, are designed to educate young people about the reality of carrying weapons and getting involved in violence.

Schools Liaison Officer for Stockton, PC Alan Fish said: "These workshops have already been running successfully in the London area. Even though knife crime is more prevalent in major inner city areas, there have been some incidents of knife crime in Cleveland."

The workshops are designed to inform teenagers about the realities of knife crime both as a victim and as an attacker.

Shane Foster of the Crime Prevention Unit with Stockton Council said: "This isn't about telling young people what is wrong and right or telling them not to do something. Young people will always make their own decisions regardless of consequences. These workshops will give them an idea of the impact violence has on both victim and the person carrying and using the weapon."

The workshops will be carried out in schools across the borough.