Narrating ‘Our Criminal Past’ at Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives in the Context of the UK Government Funded Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP) 2009-2011

The Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP) ran in England and Wales from 2008-2011 and aimed to reduce serious violence involving youths through nationwide and local initiatives. At Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Museum and Archives, TKAP funded the temporary creation of an Education Officer, whose remit was to use heritage to reach out to young people in different communities in Greater Manchester, and continue to break down barriers between them and police officers at GMP. This was attempted through a schools outreach programme in partnership with police officers, and supported by teacher resource packs, and tours and workshops held in the Museum. However, the Education Officer was also involved in the day-today running of the Museum and several community engagement projects not always involving young people. The effectiveness of the TKAP funded role was difficult to assess as evaluation produced more qualitative than quantitative data. Moreover evidence for some discrepancies between work that was funded for and actual work carried out indicate the challenge the Museum faced in maintaining a sensitive portrayal of heritage balanced against the need to retain avenues of funding