Homes and buildings across Wigan Borough are swapping pointed kitchen knives for safer, rounded-tip alternatives, following a campaign launched by one of the survivors of the Southport attack.
Wigan Council has become one of the first local authorities to take part in the safer knife replacement scheme, part of the Let’s Be Blunt campaign founded by Leanne Lucas, a survivor of the Southport attack in July 2024. The campaign encourages households, workplaces and community buildings to replace pointed-tip kitchen knives with rounded-ended alternatives, which reduce the risk of serious injury.
Nearly 20 council and partner buildings have already made the switch, including the council’s Family Hubs, council-owned children’s homes and Wigan Youth Zone – and you can make the switch too.
Wigan Council staff with Wigan Youth Zone staff during the safe knife exchange
Leanne Lucas, who set up the Let’s Be Blunt campaign, said: “Replacing pointed tip knives is a simple but important step in reducing risk and preventing harm. Rounded tips make a real difference – the pointed tip creates the pressure point and increases the potential for serious injury.”
She added that the campaign is about more than just knife design: “We also must recognise that harm is often about access and opportunity. Making small changes like this helps reduce that immediate risk, and creates opportunities for conversations about safety in homes, workplaces, schools and community settings.”
Households in Wigan who have already made the exchange describe the new knives as giving “peace of mind” and being “a good idea to educate children.”
Mike Hulme, Facilities Manager at Wigan Youth Zone, said: “Having these rounded-ended knives in our kitchens means we can cook in a safer way, while also educating our young people on why these alternatives matter. Taking part in the safer knife exchange is a positive step to help build a safer community.”
Cllr Dane Anderton, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, said: “I’m pleased we have been able to make such a positive step in removing an everyday risk that is hiding in plain sight. The exchanges at all of our Family Hubs and children’s homes means that we can significantly reduce the risk of knife harm, while educating families and young people on the risks of knives.”
Leanne added: “This is one part of a bigger picture. Changing knife design alone won’t stop all knife crime – but if it can prevent even one incident, then it’s a step we can’t afford to ignore.”
To find out more about the scheme and how to get involved, visit the Wigan Borough Community Safety Partnership website.