School anti-knife crime scheme nominated for award

An anti-knife crime initiative designed to help young people who are feeling unsafe find support has been shortlisted for an award.

The Ask for Nik scheme encourages anyone feeling threatened to seek discreet help in local shops and businesses.

Devised by pupils at Sheffield Park Academy, it allows people to enter participating stores and discreetly indicate to staff they do not feel safe by asking: 'Is Nik working?'

The scheme had been used in the city on a number of occasions since its launch, the school said, with it now nominated for a NextGenLeaders award.

Becks Wheatley, programme manager for NextGenLeaders, said: "The students came up with this idea and developed it themselves.

"We know it's having an impact because people are genuinely using this in the stores, they are seeking support so this is a genuinely impactful project."

The scheme, which operates in eight Asda branches in Sheffield, takes a similar approach as the national Ask for Angela initiative.

Ask for Angela allows people who feel unsafe in bars or clubs to discreetly seek help.

Located near All Saints Catholic High School, where 15-year-old schoolboy Harvey Willgoose was stabbed to death in February, pupils at Sheffield Park Academy said knife crime was a growing issue locally.

Morgan, a student involved in the scheme, said: "There's been a few incidents. There was one at the bottom of the road where someone got stabbed in the neck and we just felt like we needed to do something.

"You can go into a shop and if you ask them if Nik's working, they will take you to a safer place and make sure that you are not on your own and you're not scared."

After the store assistant has offered support, a trusted adult is contacted.

Keren, another pupil, said: "[Harvey's death] scared me and it also woke me up to reality, because it made me realise that terrible things can happen at any time, anywhere."

Students hoped the scheme would "go national" and gain wider advertising, she added.

The NextGenLeaders awards in Yorkshire celebrate students who have developed ideas to make a positive impact in their communities and designed to foster a sense of social responsibility.

The awards ceremony will take place in Leeds on 15 May.

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