A local charitable organisation's attempts to make Swindon's youth safer from knife crime have taken a big step forward by acquiring life-saving bleed kits.

The death of 18-year-old Owen Dunn in December sparked the formation of Owen's World, a community interest company run by his friends and family. 

The organisation only officially launched last month, but already it is starting to make progress on its aims to make Swindon safer for young people. 

In an announcement on its Facebook page, Owen's World confirmed it had been given permission to install a vital piece of emergency first aid equipment, particularly when dealing with stabbings, within a local community area. 

A spokesperson for the CIC said: "[On Friday] we were granted permission to have the first bleed control cabinet and kit installed at The John Moulton Hall in Penhill.

"It’s important to have the first one here as it was Owen’s home.

"Sadly we know that we won’t be able to stop everyone using a knife, but what we can do as a community is prevent someone else from losing their lives."

Bleed-control kits include tourniquets, bandages and gels and could prevent people from bleeding to death while paramedics race to the scene.

This early intervention is crucial as victims with catastrophic injuries can die within three minutes, medical professionals have warned. 

Joanne Davis, who helped found Owen's World, wanted to thank everyone who has supported it so far, particularly during fundraising efforts at both its launch party and the Spring Fayre it held in April. 

Swindon Advertiser: The John Moulton Hall Community Centre in Penhill will be getting a bleed control cabinet thanks to the Owen's World Community Interest Company, an organisation set up by the family and friends of killed teenager Owen Dunn.The John Moulton Hall Community Centre in Penhill will be getting a bleed control cabinet thanks to the Owen's World Community Interest Company, an organisation set up by the family and friends of killed teenager Owen Dunn. (Image: The Daniel Baird Foundation/Central Swindon North Parish Council)

Both events helped to raise thousands for the CIC and get it a step closer to applying for official charity status, without which, this positive development would not have been possible. 

"I just want to say thank you for everyone’s support so far including my team," she said. 

"This kit is now on the way to me and will be installed in the coming weeks.

"This is major progress for Owen’s World and we hope that with help from local parishes and councillors we can get more installed over the town."

Campaigners have previously called for more bleed control kits to be made available to members of the public and carried more frequently by emergency services. 

Danny O’Brien, of Anti-Knife UK, said: “These bleed-control kits should be available in every business first-aid kit, especially in areas where there are known to be incidents.”

“They could stop someone bleeding to death.”