Southport survivor Leanne Lucas helping shape Wigan’s knife crime response as 2,700 knives handed in

A knife crime initiative across Wigan has seen more than 2,700 knives handed in, but behind the numbers is a powerful personal story.

Leanne Lucas, a dance teacher who survived the Southport stabbing attack, has become an important voice in the borough’s work to prevent knife-related harm.

This isn’t just one campaign. It’s a mix of different approaches, from knife disposal bins and emergency training to behaviour change work like Let’s Be Blunt, which Leanne founded. She has helped bring real-life experience into the conversation, shaping how some of this work is delivered locally. Her Let’s Be Blunt campaign focuses on a simple idea, encouraging people to switch from pointed kitchen knives to blunt-ended alternatives, reducing the risk of serious harm in moments of crisis.

“Most of us have kitchen knives in our homes, and we don’t always know who around us might be struggling,” she said.

“This is about those everyday situations where something can escalate very quickly.”

Her message focuses on prevention, recognising that not every incident begins with criminal intent

Alongside Leanne’s campaign, Wigan’s Community Safety Partnership has introduced a range of measures aimed at tackling knife harm from different angles. Knife bins have been installed across the borough, including at Wigan Bus Station, Leigh town centre, Platt Bridge and Pemberton, giving people a safe way to dispose of knives.

There has also been a focus on education and response, with residents, students and local businesses taking part in “Stop the Bleed” training, learning how to deal with serious injuries in an emergency. Publicly accessible bleed control kits have also been installed at locations across Wigan and Leigh.

Leanne says the strength of the approach is in combining practical action with awareness.

“I’ve spoken to people who’ve been in vulnerable situations who say making small changes, like switching to safer knives, has made a real difference,” she said. “No one should ever have to become a victim.”

Her work sits alongside the borough’s wider safety initiatives, helping to shift the focus towards prevention.

With thousands of knives already taken out of circulation and more people equipped with life-saving skills, Wigan’s approach is now being looked at across Greater Manchester.

At its heart is a simple idea, combining lived experience with practical action can help reduce risk and prevent tragedies before they happen.

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