Teenagers invited to make movies to combat knife crime

TEENAGERS in Warrington are being invited to make a short video or radio advert warning of the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.
The project has been launched by Cheshire’s police youth engagement officers and is aimed at high school and college age students.
It’s also an opportunity to focus on the positive – that the vast majority of young people don’t carry knives and how we can help to keep communities safe.
Recent crime figures show that knife incidents have increased in Cheshire in the last year, reflecting a national trend. In the last 12 months, people have died due to knife incidents in Runcorn and Macclesfield.
Teachers are being provided with a range of video, document and online resources to encourage schools and colleges to get involved
Students will write scripts and perform their own adverts as well as adding music and sound effects.
It’s free to take part in the competition which closes on March 27. Schools and individuals are asked to register their interest at www.collaboratedigital.com/register
PC Amy Fletcher of Cheshire Safer Schools and Young People Partnership said: “Whilst knife crime is not a major problem in Cheshire, we do want to recognise it as a priority before it becomes a bigger concern. The best way to get that message across is through our young people. The message is much more likely to be given credibility about the dangers of carrying and using a knife if it comes from their peers.”
Mark Watson of Cheshire Crimebeat, the charity funding the project said: “We are delighted to support this innovative competition. In our 20th year as a charity helping to fund initiatives across the county it’s great to combine the creativity of our young people with an important issue such as knife crime.”
Mark Matthews of Collaborate Digital said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Cheshire Police again. Our campaigns in previous years on online and street safety were a huge success with over 60,000 people watching the winning videos on YouTube.”