STUDENTS from a Keighley secondary school have helped create a new app designed to tackle knife crime among young people.

Pupils at University Academy Keighley (UAK) have joined forces with youngsters at three other Bradford-district schools to produce Aunty Knife – a portal for reporting crime and with advice for parents or teenagers who feel unsafe, available on both Apple and Android.

Charities, the police and Home Office are also part of the initiative.

Among those involved is Neesie, a community interest company.

Director, Noreen Khan, said: “Prevention is the most effective tool we have, and this Home Office-funded programme will tackle the problem from the grassroots.

“It will be able to help detect violence within our communities and give more youngsters the skills, support and aspirations they need to turn away from crime and fulfil their potential.

“The project could reach out to communities and play its part in keeping our streets safe.”

Two students from UAK and each of the other schools involved – Carlton Bolling College, Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College and Bradford Grammar – will also be selected to attend a meeting in the Houses of Parliament to present a policy paper.

Their report will offer solutions to ministers in the battle against weapons crime nationally.

The students have conducted research and took part in a workshop at Kala Sangam Arts Centre in Bradford, where talks were also given by local and national figures.

Det Supt Christopher Gibson gave pupils an insight into serious violent crime from the West Yorkshire Police viewpoint.

And campaigner Courtney Barrett was present.

He is taking his Binning Knives Saves mission to locations from London to Bradford.

Mr Barrett said one pupil had been threatened with a knife just days before the workshop.

“I had an amazing time with the students,” he said.

“When I first got there they were all laughing and I was thinking this could be a hard job, but when I talked to them they all really embraced what we’re doing and want to help other kids stay out of trouble.

“They really want to do something to curb knife crime.

“We need to get to the kids before they go down the wrong path.

“I really want to get back to Bradford district as soon as possible.”

Neesie has been working closely with West Yorkshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office.

It also works with organisations like Mothers Against Violence, from Manchester, to help tackle the problem.