Sir Gavin Williamson is joining Stone based AED Donate to call for the greater roll-out of bleed kits across Staffordshire as knife related crime reached over 50,000 incidents in the year up to March 2025.
Bleed kits help stem severe bleeding from deep wounds before emergency services arrive and have been known to save dozens of lives across the country since their installation in communities. AED Donate in Stone, supply bleed kits as well as defibrillators and work with community groups, local authorities, and others to maintain the devices.
Sir Gavin was given a demonstration of how to use a bleed kit which includes equipment such as a haemostatic (blood-clotting) dressing, compressed gauze (for packing deep wounds), pressure bandages and other items to stop the flow of bleeding.
Julie Lawton, AED Donate Community Trainer, said: “Severe bleeding can become life threatening within minutes.
“Having bleed control kits in publicly accessible locations, giving bystanders the equipment they need to take immediate action and potentially save a life before the ambulance service arrives.
“These kits are simple to use and can make a crucial difference in those few moments of an emergency.”
Sir Gavin added: “Bleed kits are increasingly become more prevalent in our communities, and this is thanks to the work by charities including AED Donate.
“Sadly, knife crime continues to increase in some parts of the country, and whilst our efforts must remain on bringing perpetrators to justice and community work to deter offenders, it is welcome that bleed kits now sit alongside defibrillators as easy-to-use life saving devices.
“I look forward to continuing to work with AED Donate to ensure more bleed kits are available across Staffordshire.”
