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02/10/2009
Ad Campaign Tackles Knife Crime
A new advertising campaign which highlights the cost of carrying a knife has been launched by Home Office Minister David Hanson.
The Policing and Crime Minister also announced the creation of a taskforce of young anti-knife crime crime campaigners.
Both initiatives are part of the next phase of the Home Office's It Doesn't Have to Happen campaign, which aims to reduce knife carrying among 10 - 16-year-olds.
The adverts carry the message 'Carry a knife and lose your life' demonstrating how easily carrying a knife can lead to death, loss of freedom or serious injury.
Mr Hanson said: "The vast majority of young people are honest and law-abiding, and won't tolerate violence in their neighbourhood, This campaign targets the small minority who break the law.
"More people are now going to prison for carrying weapons and sentences are longer than this time last year.
"Through this campaign we are sending out a clear message that people who break the law and continue to carry offensive weapons will face tough penalties," he said.
The youth taskforce are a group of young people, aged 15 to 20, from communities touched by knife crime, who will be spreading the campaign message to their peers.
One of the members, Aron Jervis, from east London, said: "I've been stabbed myself and it was a really traumatic experience. I got involved with It Doesn't Have to Happen because I know that nobody can get through to young people better than other young people. It's only by working together that we can help put an end to knife crime."
The next phase of the campaign includes:
(KMcA/BMcC)
The Policing and Crime Minister also announced the creation of a taskforce of young anti-knife crime crime campaigners.
Both initiatives are part of the next phase of the Home Office's It Doesn't Have to Happen campaign, which aims to reduce knife carrying among 10 - 16-year-olds.
The adverts carry the message 'Carry a knife and lose your life' demonstrating how easily carrying a knife can lead to death, loss of freedom or serious injury.
Mr Hanson said: "The vast majority of young people are honest and law-abiding, and won't tolerate violence in their neighbourhood, This campaign targets the small minority who break the law.
"More people are now going to prison for carrying weapons and sentences are longer than this time last year.
"Through this campaign we are sending out a clear message that people who break the law and continue to carry offensive weapons will face tough penalties," he said.
The youth taskforce are a group of young people, aged 15 to 20, from communities touched by knife crime, who will be spreading the campaign message to their peers.
One of the members, Aron Jervis, from east London, said: "I've been stabbed myself and it was a really traumatic experience. I got involved with It Doesn't Have to Happen because I know that nobody can get through to young people better than other young people. It's only by working together that we can help put an end to knife crime."
The next phase of the campaign includes:
- Two television and online adverts. The first of these is based on the testimonials of real inmates at a young offenders institute serving sentences for knife offences. This advert will run on youth websites and TV music channels - including Kiss, 4 Music and the Box
- Posters which portray the punitive consequences of carrying a knife will be displayed at bus stops in key areas across England and Wales
- Youth taskforce campaigners from cities across the UK including London, Leeds, Cardiff and Bristol who will spread campaign messages in their local communities and via the campaign Bebo site
- Music video Don't Shank Just Skank members of the taskforce and top house music artists including Donaeo and DJ Luck and MC Neat spreading anti-knife messages through music and dance. The video will be available on the Bebo site
(KMcA/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
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04 December 2006
Met launch anti-knife crime advertising campaign
Two new radio adverts aimed at discouraging young people from carrying knives have been launched by the Metropolitan Police. The adverts, which will target young people aged between 11 and 19, follow on from Operation Blunt's 'Knife City' campaign.
Met launch anti-knife crime advertising campaign
Two new radio adverts aimed at discouraging young people from carrying knives have been launched by the Metropolitan Police. The adverts, which will target young people aged between 11 and 19, follow on from Operation Blunt's 'Knife City' campaign.
24 May 2006
Nationwide knife amnesty begins
The first national knife amnesty for over 10 years has begun in the UK. Until June 30, people will be given the chance to hand in knives without fear of prosecution.
Nationwide knife amnesty begins
The first national knife amnesty for over 10 years has begun in the UK. Until June 30, people will be given the chance to hand in knives without fear of prosecution.
19 October 2006
Street crime still on the rise
Official statistics have revealed that street crime and robbery in England and Wales rose by 5% between April and June this year. The increase follows an 8% rise recorded in the year to April – an upward trend which has been attributed to a higher level of thefts from people carrying electronic items such as MP3 players and mobile phones.
Street crime still on the rise
Official statistics have revealed that street crime and robbery in England and Wales rose by 5% between April and June this year. The increase follows an 8% rise recorded in the year to April – an upward trend which has been attributed to a higher level of thefts from people carrying electronic items such as MP3 players and mobile phones.
30 July 2009
'YouTube' Campaign Targets Knife Crime
The Metropolitan Police Service is urging young boys to "choose a different ending" in a new interactive publicity campaign running on the video website YouTube. The campaign, filmed from the point of view of a teenage boy allows users to interact with a series of films on YouTube and decides what happens next.
'YouTube' Campaign Targets Knife Crime
The Metropolitan Police Service is urging young boys to "choose a different ending" in a new interactive publicity campaign running on the video website YouTube. The campaign, filmed from the point of view of a teenage boy allows users to interact with a series of films on YouTube and decides what happens next.
03 November 2008
Young People Urged To Unite In Knife Crime Fight
A new national billboard campaign encouraging young people and communities to stand together against knife crime was launched today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
Young People Urged To Unite In Knife Crime Fight
A new national billboard campaign encouraging young people and communities to stand together against knife crime was launched today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
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