Portsmouth Academy teens praised for developing "life saving" app Safe Edge to tackle knife crime
Teenagers have been commended after being creating a new app that could “save lives” as the fight to tackle knife crime continues.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has visited The Portsmouth Academy to celebrate a new smartphone app called Safe Edge to tackle the challenges of knife crime.
The app, which was developed by five students, showcases videos and articles produced by the team, a map showing knife surrender boxes, and local resources for those who need help.
The group of students were given advice from members of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Violent Crime Taskforce in developing their idea.
15-year-old Daniela, who was part of the student force who designed and developed the app, said: “I realised this really is an issue when my brother got chased by someone with a knife. I was really scared for him.
“Social media plays a big part. There’s so much harmful content impacting mental health. The fact people can just access this is scary.
“If a young boy sees that and thinks if he carries a knife, he’ll look cool and go viral, then that’s really worrying. The fear of missing out is so bad these days, people will do anything.”
The team were awarded 'Best Business’ in Portsmouth Engineering Training Association’s annual Apprentice vs Dragons Den competition to build, develop, and pitch their idea to address a pressing issue in today’s society.
PCC Donna Jones said: “Apps like these have the potential to save people’s lives.
“These students really are an inspiration to their peers. They understand how raising awareness is vital if we’re to tackle the problem head on.
“Their slogan ‘Drop a knife, save a life’ epitomises that.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is continuing its work to address the issue, with latest figures showing knife crime has fallen by 27.6 per cent over the past two years.
“Society as a whole has a role to play in trying to tackle the reasons behind that decision which is why I continue to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds into projects across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight which support young people at risk,” Donna Jones continued.