Lifesaving bleed kits placed in Frinton and Walton

Local communities now have easier access to vital, life-saving equipment after Julie Taylor handed out two new bleed kits to the Essex Skipper in Frinton-on-Sea and the Pier, Walton-on-the-Naze. Julie was joined by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Clacton MP Giles Watling and local Councillor, Mark Platt.

The bleed kits cost £104 each and contain vital life saving equipment to help stem bleeding in life threatening situations. The kits are easy to use and Julie teaches staff at the venues what is in the kits and how to use them when they are placed in the venues.

She started raising funds for the kits after the tragic death of her grandson, Liam Taylor, three and a half years ago. Since then Julie has worked tirelessly to place bleed kits at key locations in communities across Essex. Over 200 kits have already been donated and in the last eight months alone at least three lives have been saved as a result.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said “While we all hope these kits are never used we know that by being prepared, working with pubs, clubs and entertainment venues across the county we can save lives. Julie has done a great job getting these kits out there and ensuring that venues who have them on their premises know how to use them.”

“Knife crime is a blight on our communities and we must do all we can to stamp it out. These kits help save lives when terrible incidents happen but we also need to make sure the law is tighter on the control of bladed weapons and that young and vulnerable people know the consequences of carrying knives and are encouraged to live a safer life by making better choices.”

Giles Watling, Member of Parliament for Clacton, said: “I am pleased to see that such vital and life-saving equipment will be available in our constituency and thanks to Julie Taylor for her tireless campaigning to improve access to these kits. 

“The scourge of knife crime must be tackled, but we must also ensure that people are trained and have access to the resources to support those who have been attacked.  Knives have no place on our streets – let’s stamp them out together.”