News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Knife-bin-Brixton-main_article_image.jpg
UK News

Churches told to open doors after school to tackle knife crime

Fatal stabbings in England and Wales reached record levels last year, as the number of young people killed by knives rose by nearly 50 per cent according to the Office for National Statistics.

The Church of England has placed knife crime at the top of the agenda as it gathers for the General Synod next month.

Rev Canon Dr Rosemarie Mallett, a priest in Angell Town, south London will submit a motion, calling on local parishes to provide after school safe havens in an effort to combat youth violence across the country.

Speaking to Premier, she said: "In almost every area of England, there is a parish church.

"So a simple suggestion is that during the hours between three and seven, when situations might occur for young people, is it possible to have buildings open and to have them flag that as being open as places of welcoming and sanctuary for young people."

She added that the Anglican Church should be working together with local authorities to provide support: "It is not a simple problem of violence or criminality. It's a whole public health model, where we have to look at schools and exclusions where we have to look at family related issues, increasing levels of gang activity and violence as well."

"If we can work within our schools to bring exclusions down, to stop off rolling as much as possible, and to find solutions within the school for the challenges that young people are facing, we give them a better possibility for the future."

Rev Mallett's plans will also propose training for clergy to protect vulnerable teens and the provision of knife amnesty bins as further options to tackle the issue.

Members will also hear details of plans to provide extra money to help the Church of England dioceses fund more training for those looking to enter priesthood.

The move follows a 23 per cent rise in the number of people training for ordained ministry in the last two years, a key step forward in the Church of England's programme of Renewal and Reform.

Synod will also discuss the rise of new forms of church gatherings known as Fresh Expressions and the Setting God's People Free programme, aimed at helping lay people to be confident in living out their faith in homes, schools, communities and places of work.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate