Merseyside Police and its partners have launched a new knife crime campaign #BladeFree to make communities safer for the future.
In recent years we have seen all too often many people seriously injured or killed as a result of knife crime. Last year alone four people lost their lives in Merseyside due to knife crime which has devastated the lives of so many families and friends.
Working with partners including the local councils in Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral; the Police and Crime Commissioner; North West Ambulance Service; Crimestoppers and the National Health Service, the #BladeFree campaign has been created.
The campaign is designed to help young people steer clear of knife crime and violent crime by providing support and opportunity through activities and initiatives such as sport, music, and theatre to build confidence and aspiration and improve practical skills and employability.
Research has shown that many of those involved in or at risk of being drawn into knife crime, suffer from a lack of aspiration and belonging, often as a result of living in areas with few or no opportunities for young people.
Through #BladeFree young people will be directed towards a range of local clubs and activities accessible across Merseyside, which will give them hope, aspiration and opportunity, and most importantly the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions in the future.
This will be the first campaign for ‘Our Merseyside’, which is a regional initiative to encourage people (young or old) and organisations to work together to bring pride and opportunity to Merseyside and help keep our people and our streets safe.
Anyone, and everyone, can pledge their support to #BladeFree. If you provide services, groups and opportunities that could help young people, please visit OurMerseyside.org. We want people across Merseyside to get behind the campaign as the more activities we can promote, the more young people can get involved.
