As part of PETA’s Apprentice and Dragon’s Den competition, Tajkia, Sabriha and Daniela won ‘Best Business’ by working together to develop ‘Safe Edge: Drop a Knife, Save a Life’, which aims to inform and educate people about the dangers of knife crime.
Users start by filling in a quick questionnaire, which then personalises the app experience to the individual.
Features of the app include videos and articles specially produced by the team, a map showing knife surrender boxes, and local resources and support for those who need help.
After working with Hampshire Police to help develop their idea, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones contacted them and wanted to hear more.
M. Rahman, Careers and Enrichment Lead at The Portsmouth Academy, helped support the students with their work.
"The students have worked so hard in developing this brilliant app to tackle such an important issue, not just locally but across the country.”, she said.
“I'm so proud of their effort and engagement for this project, and for them to present it to the Police and Crime Commissioner is such a significant milestone", Miss Rahman added.
Donna was extremely impressed with the student’s work, recognising the brilliant support from The Portsmouth Academy in bringing this app to life.
“It’s been really lovely to be here at The Portsmouth Academy today to see your inspiring year 10 pupils who have developed this app Safe Edge: Drop a Knife, Save a Life”, Donna said.
“It’s a brilliant initiative and as Police and Crime Commissioner, I’m really pleased to be here and support and celebrate them today”, she added.
Donna went on to discuss how the students came up with the idea following recent high-profile incidents of knife crime in Portsmouth.
“It emanated from their fear and apprehension of being safe in their communities, and the fact they know there are young people across the city who are carrying knives”, she explained.
“Whilst we’ve seen a 27% drop in knife crime in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the last couple of years, there’s still too much of it and particularly young males are at risk. What these young pupils have done is brilliant”.
The event took place shortly before Safer Internet Day which this year falls on 10th February. The aim of the day is to promote the safe use of technology and Artificial Intelligence, particularly amongst young people.
Year 10 student Sabriha, reflected on her time carrying out and developing this project.
Speaking about the competition, she said: “It was an amazing experience to talk about our idea, and it inspired us more to continue with it further in the future”.
When asked about the legacy they wanted to create with this app, Sabriha was “very happy” with the progress they’d made.
“It shows we had a significant impact on what we were trying to do”, she said.
Sabriha went on to encourage her peers who may be thinking of presenting their idea to the world.
“Go for it, there’s going to be lots of ups and downs but if it doesn’t become successful the experience you get from it is very valuable”, she advised.
The student’s next steps are to meet with Hampshire Police again to develop a strategy for utilising the app to its full potential.