First bleed kits installed in Bristol as community campaign brings action against knife crime

TThe first of Bristol’s bleed kits, a specialist medical kit designed to help save the life of someone who has been stabbed, has been installed in East Bristol after an arduous campaign following the fatal stabbing of Dontae Davis, last year.

Leanne Reynolds worked at the City of Bristol College when Dontae was killed in Lawrence Hill and knew him well. She, like many others, realised action against knife crime was needed in cities across the UK including Bristol. After launching the campaign, Avon and Somerset Police worked alongside Leanne to make a change in memory of the teenager.

She explained: “I realised we needed to prevent knife crime and educate the youth [following the death of Dontae Davis]. I raised funds with the community for the first bleed cabinet to be launched in Newtown and then roll out another 150 bleed kits funded by NHS.”

The kits include equipment such as tourniquets, bandages and gels which could prevent people from bleeding to death while waiting for a paramedic to arrive at the scene. Often, early intervention is crucial as victims of knife crime can die within minutes.

She added: “The bleed kit contains items that will ensure that you can hopefully save that life while you are waiting for the ambulance to come. If you come across someone that’s been wounded or is severely bleeding, you call 999 and you will be directed to the nearest cabinet or bleed kit, they will have instructions to follow. We’re here to try and save a life.

“We all know that knife crime is on the increase, and I’m hoping that if anyone has to use it, that life is saved. I have worked closely with families of victims and will continue after the launch to educate and train individuals on how to use the bleed kit.”

Leanne’s work has also helped fund four community knife surrender bins which will be installed across the region. Last month, more than 250 weapons were disposed of in the police service’s current bins.

To find the locations of Bristol’s knife surrender bins and more details of its knife crime support services, visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/knifecrime