Kits to help stop stab victims bleeding to death have been installed at two locations in Brighton identified as “high-harm areas”.
The kits, which are designed to prevent catastrophic blood loss, are located in West Street and at The Level.
No medical knowledge is needed to use the kits. Anyone who phones 999 to access the pack will be put through to a professional, who will be tell them whether the wound needs to be sealed, wrapped or packed.
There are also simple instructions inside the door for members of the public, until an ambulance arrives.
The control bleed kit installed at The Level
The kits contain dressings, chest seals, tourniquets, gloves and scissors.
Sergeant James Ward, of Brighton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are putting them in locations where there’s high harm, those areas where we’ve seen serious violence and knife crime.
“A further four kits are planned for the city within the next couple of months and six kits are to be handed out to night-time venues.
“We of course hope these kits are never used, but this is a way of protecting members of the public should they receive any injury.”
The bleed kits complement Sussex Police’s year-round work to combat knife crime and serious violence, known as Operation Safety, which has a primary focus on reducing knife crime committed in public spaces against young people.
Chief Inspector Simon Yates, the force lead for knife crime and serious violence, said: “We know the devastation knife crime and serious crime causes in our communities and we are doing everything we can to educate people and prevent access to knives that are used for violence, intimidation and harm.
“Tackling an issue as complex as knife crime also requires teamwork and we work with various partners, such as the VRP and Project Youth, to understand the motivations behind carrying a knife and its associated crime.
“These kits will not solve the issue, but they will save someone’s life should they ever be needed.”
Tanya Mackay, manager of the Sussex VRP, said: “We’re supporting the installation of more bleed kits in Brighton, so that any victims can receive vital first aid treatment as quickly as possible.
“We’re really pleased to see these kits being installed in other areas of Sussex, too.
“They’re not the answer to knife crime, but they may just save a life.”
Project Youth founder Carl Scott said: “The aim of the cabinets is not so much around being a deterrent but more around the hope that they work prevent further deaths if someone would be unfortunate enough to have a severe injury in which the contents of the cabinets needed to be used.
“We would like to stress to members of the public that these cabinets can be used for all injuries that cause severe bleeds and have the potential to save life’s if used.”
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne added: “Whilst we hope that the public won’t ever need to use the bleed kits because Sussex still remains a safe place in which to live, we mustn’t ignore the fact that knife crime does happen in our county.
“It’s extremely dangerous to carry a knife and the consequences can be catastrophic so safety measures like these will help to save lives.”
The kits have been funded by Sussex Police and the Sussex Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), in partnership with Project Youth, a community interest company (CIC) aimed at steering young people away from knife crime.
What is this city coming to. Drugs and violence openly on display. The answer is bleed control kits, what a scary place to live.
I get your worries about the optics. I think it has been progressing this way for a while, however. Still, I wouldn’t say these kits are an ultimate solution. Well funded Youth Work goes a long way.
Lots of places have them. It’s not just a B&H initiative.
If these kits help save someone because they can be used whilst an ambulance is on the way then surety that’s a good thing?
I agree Chris, these kit have pretty much exactly what the ambulance has and would do for lacerations and perforations to stablise until they can get them to a surgeon. The sooner that can be done, the less likely the patient is to go into hypovolemic shock, or bleed out.
Maybe policing these areas would be a better idea,
Now there’s a thought.
Whilst I support more visual presence of policing as a deterrent, it is simply unrealistic to expect someone there 24 hours a day. There will always be a gap.
This way, anyone nearby can administer first aid, and life can be preserved. Hopefully these will rarely get used, however, something I would rather have available then not.
A really good bit of kit that may just prevent loss of life. I want to see Naloxone added to these kits and we have pretty comprehensive coverage for first response.
In parts of the US they have Narcan Kits available in all sorts of places.
I’ve seen them in bars and libraries (in the toilets)
First responders also have them for easy and quick use.
Canada made them available to purchase over the counter last year as well.
I understand its role but it’s a sorry reflection on our city and society as a whole that we even need to do this.
I don’t pretend to have any answers but I do feel more police on the street, youth education, and serious consequences (not a slapped wrist) for the perpetrators plays its part.
Interestingly, when it comes to young offenders, you want to avoid incarceration where possible, as the outcomes generally are very unfavourable for unoffending.
If it means these violent people are off our streets for a very very long time I’m all for it.
You can pop round to tell someone’s loved ones that they will no longer be coming home as a result of some thug knifing them when the thugs should have been in prison.
Hmm, but when they do, they have no idea how to be part of a society, and now more likely to commit something much more dangerous. Not an easy fix either way.
Dear Councillor West,
What happened to those full time rangers you guaranteed when the Level was revamped?
Nigel, you might have noticed that many councils across the country are in a financially dangerous position right now. There, most likely, is your answer.
A guarantee, is a guarantee, not we will try if we have some spare cash. Simple when you think about it.
Unfortunately, that just sounds financially irresponsible, which is an aspect that was also guaranteed to be avoided as possible.
I’d certainly like a full time Ranger in The Level, having said that. I think it could help prevent a number of issues, and perhaps that saving is how it is afforded?