Rayner Stephens High School in Dukinfield was one of 14 schools across Greater Manchester to participate in Stop the Bleed Day on Wednesday (26 April).

Stop the Bleed Day is an initiative created by the citizenAID charity in partnership with Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.

The day saw a raft of volunteers from policing, military, ambulance, first aid trainers and more attending fourteen schools across Greater Manchester to deliver vital life-saving training.  

GMP School Engagement Officers attended schools in Bolton, Bury and Tameside to help deliver the training and give advice to young people.

The event is being trialled in Greater Manchester and next year citizenAID are aiming to roll it out nationally.

Sergeant Lisa Quinn of GMP's Operation Venture - the team targeting serious violence - said: "The aim of today is to give young people potentially life-saving advice on how to stop traumatic bleeding. 

“Injuries are the leading cause of death amongst children and young people under the age of 40 and bleeding is the single most preventable cause of death in cases where someone is injured; for example if they have been injured in a car accident or even if they have been a victim of knife crime.

“Operation Venture is working hard to reduce serious violence and I am pleased the figures show that knife crime fell across Greater Manchester by 3.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, however we know that much more needs to be done.

“Part of this involves educating young people, supporting them to make better choices and if necessary, giving them potentially life-saving advice should they ever need it.

“I hope they will never need it, but I am grateful to citizenAID and Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit for organising this event today. The lessons are invaluable and could be used in any walk of life where a person is injured and could very well save lives."

We all have a part to play in fighting, preventing and reducing knife crime. If you know or suspect someone is carrying a knife, please report it immediately - before it is too late. You can contact GMP via gmp.police.uk or 101.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers also have a dedicated website which enables 11 – 17 year olds to pass on information anonymously – this can be accessed through Fearless.org

In an emergency, always dial 999.

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