School heads back our Lives Not Knives campaign (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

School heads back our Lives Not Knives campaign

7:00am Friday 28th September 2012 in News

SCHOOL heads have thrown their support behind the Gazette’s campaign against knife crime.

Clacton Coastal Academy executive principal Stephen Chamberlain said he would back any campaign that made the streets safer.

He said: “We feel that we have to do something. Between the incidents on our doorstep in Clacton and the recent incidents in Colchester it is clear to us that something has to be done.

“We do the usual things at the moment, such as having police officers come into assembly, but it seems that whatever we are doing is not enough.

“The more we can do with this, the better. Educating our youngsters about the dangers of weapons should be the first step.”

Tendring Technology College pledged its support.

The school is still reeling from the murder of student Jay Whiston who was stabbed to death outside a house party in Colchester just two weeks ago. 

Principal Caroline Haynes said: “Anything that can make our youngsters safer can count on our support.

“We already have a zero tolerance policy on knives and other weapons at both of our campuses but it is a vital message to get across.

“This is especially poignant for us at the moment and we will do whatever we can to help.”

Clacton County High School's Jeff Brindle said: “We are keen to do anything we can to reduce this threat in our town.”