More than 500 school children in East Lancashire have been given talks on knife crime from the police.

The scheme is part of Operation Edge, and within the last week, officers in Hyndburn have visited St Christopher’s C of E High School and Accrington Academy to deliver the Choose Life Not the Knife presentations.

The educational strand of the Operation has been delivered to more than 500 Year 9 pupils in support of the respective schools’ Well-Being Days.

Sgt Ian Corbett, of the Hyndburn Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This is a fantastic engagement opportunity to deliver a very important message.

"We hope to run a number of similar inputs across Hyndburn over the next few months."

The students were taught the dangers of illegal knife use and the devastating consequences that can result by PCSOs Kirsten Taylor and Iain McCarroll.

They also learnt about the signs associated with child criminal exploitation and the impact organised crime gangs have on individuals and communities.

This was augmented by the inclusion of a life story session by a rehabilitated ex-offender who took the students on a journey through the introduction to a life of crime; the incarceration experience; and the drift into serious mental illness due to drug use.

Head of year nine at Accrington Academy Jackie Eccles said: "The content was great and all students derived a lot from the day.

"Some great conversations were started and staff reported that the students were very interested and that the work produced after the sessions was thought provoking."

Since the launch of Operation Edge in September, the Hyndburn North Team have delivered workshops to more than 500 students.