Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
Are you under pressure to deal drugs or carry a knife, gun or other weapon? Are you already involved in a gang or crime? Are you already carrying a knife?
If so, you may feel like your life is out of control, like you're constantly looking over your shoulder and that there's no way out. You might think it'll be worse trying to get out of a gang and that you need to carry a weapon for protection. The truth is, it's more dangerous to keep going as you are. But you're here looking for help, which is a really good start and there are many organisations and charities who want to help you.
There's lots of help and support out there.
If you're scared for your safety talk to someone – a parent, teacher, youth worker or a police officer for example. No one wants to see you get hurt.
If you don't feel as though you can talk to your parents, a teacher or the police, then talk to a professional in confidence. ChildLine could be your first call on 0800 1111 – their counsellors can support young people 24 hours a day.
The police care about young people and would always prefer to prevent crime rather than detect it as this means something has happened to someone. They never want to see a young person hurt or in trouble if it can be prevented. They will always help if someone feels threatened, frightened or they think they are at risk of harm.
If you've been a victim of knife or gun crime, you're probably going through a whole mixture of emotions - fear, anger, pain. Perhaps it was a random attack, or maybe you're in a gang and this was always going to happen sooner or later. Maybe you get bullied and the bullying has got a whole lot worse.
Being injured by a knife or gun is no doubt one of the worst things that has happened to you. Even being threatened with a weapon can be incredibly frightening. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help – you need support and there are lots of ways for you to speak to someone anonymously.
If the police haven't already been notified, then you or someone close to you should contact them straight away by speaking to your Safer Schools Officer, your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team, or by going to your nearest police station.
If it's an emergency, and you still feel like you're in danger you need to call 999 now.