Virtual Reality Knife Crime Programme

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is promoting an innovative virtual reality which continues to be delivered across the District. In partnership with Warwickshire County Council, the initiative is offered to schools, colleges and youth organisations and it has been running since last year.  

The programme was designed by the award-winning Virtual Decisions, specialised in theatre, drama, and tech in education and funded by Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Warwick District Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council, alongside Warwickshire County Council and The Office of the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner.  

In Stratford-on-Avon District, the project has been offered to all high schools and delivered by the Council's  Community Safety officer in over 7 schools and colleges. The success of the project is evidenced through positive feedback from those involved.  

Staff from one school in Stratford-on-Avon District were particularly positive about the delivery, with one staff member commenting: "It was amazing! She thought your delivery and interaction with the students was spot on. She works very closely with those boys, and she said she has never seen them engage with anyone as well, or for that length of time. They usually all walk around at different points in the lessons or just lose interest. She was honestly so complimentary about how you worked with them all and she loved the session."  

One student from a secondary school said: "This VR project will definitely change young people's way of thinking about carrying and prevent them from it."  

Cllr Natalie Gist, Portfolio Holder for Law & Governance at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "A key focus of the work of community safety partners in Stratford and across Warwickshire is to prevent crime and devasting impacts it can have. This innovative project allows us to engage with young people in meaningful way and explore the realities of knife carrying and circumstances that lead to violence."  

The programme is available for delivery for free in all schools, youth organisations and clubs within Warwickshire. If you are based in Stratford-on-Avon District and would like to find out more, please email alyssa.davies@stratford-dc.gov.uk.    

If you have information or concerns about someone carrying a knife, please report it to Warwickshire Police by going to www.warwickshire.police.uk/report or call 101 and quote Operation Talkative. If someone is carrying a knife on them at the current time, call 999. If you wish to remain anonymous you can report to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org