The Portsmouth Academy students help tackle knife crime with new app

Three Year 10 pupils at The Portsmouth Academy have met with Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones to present an app they developed to help tackle knife crime in Portsmouth.

Tajkia, Sabriha and Daniela created ‘Safe Edge: Drop a Knife, Save a Life’ as part of PETA’s Apprentice and Dragon’s Den competition, where they won the ‘Best Business’ award. The app is designed to inform and educate users about the dangers of knife crime.

Users begin by completing a short questionnaire, which personalises the app experience. Features include videos and articles produced by the team, a map highlighting knife surrender boxes, and information about local resources and support for those seeking help.

After working with Hampshire Police to shape their idea, Donna Jones contacted the students to learn more about the project.

M. Rahman, Careers and Enrichment Lead at the school, supported the pupils throughout. “The students have worked so hard in developing this brilliant app to tackle such an important issue, not just locally but across the country.”, she said.

“I'm so proud of their effort and engagement for this project, and for them to present it to the Police and Crime Commissioner is such a significant milestone", Miss Rahman added.

Donna said: “It’s been really lovely to be here at The Portsmouth Academy today to see your inspiring year 10 pupils who have developed this app Safe Edge: Drop a Knife, Save a Life”.

“It’s a brilliant initiative and as Police and Crime Commissioner, I’m really pleased to be here and support and celebrate them today”, she added.

She explained: “It emanated from their fear and apprehension of being safe in their communities, and the fact they know there are young people across the city who are carrying knives”.

“Whilst we’ve seen a 27% drop in knife crime in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the last couple of years, there’s still too much of it and particularly young males are at risk. What these young pupils have done is brilliant”.

The visit took place shortly before Safer Internet Day on 10 February, which promotes the safe use of technology and Artificial Intelligence.

Reflecting on the competition, Sabriha said: “It was an amazing experience to talk about our idea, and it inspired us more to continue with it further in the future”.

“It shows we had a significant impact on what we were trying to do”, she said.

“Go for it, there’s going to be lots of ups and downs but if it doesn’t become successful the experience you get from it is very valuable”, she advised.

The students are due to meet with Hampshire Police again to explore how the app can be developed and used more widely.

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