Stretford High invited Andrew Western along to participate in its Knife Crime Awareness Week. The school felt it was important that the newly-elected MP for Stretford and Urmston was there to listen pupils’ worries and concerns during their group discussions on knife crime.

The sessions, with Year 9 pupils, were delivered by teachers, alongside the Greater Manchester Police service.

Andrew Western said: “It was great to see the young people so engaged and to see, first hand, how these types of sessions are delivered. I was also impressed by how challenging and focussed the questions were.

“Sadly, knife crime is an issue on our streets, and collectively, we need to do more to prevent yet more senseless deaths.

“It was great to see Stretford High and Greater Manchester Police running a proactive initiative like this and I want to thank them for inviting me along.”

During the session, there was a focus on what knife crime is and the local risk factors were discussed. Practical advice was also given, to keep young people safe; including first-aid training in case students ever came across a victim of knife crime.