Merseyside Police and partners across the county have launched a new knife crime campaign #BladeFree to help make communities safer for the future.
In recent years we have seen 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 devastating effects on the lives of so many families and friends.
The #BladeFree campaign has been created by working with our partners, which include all Local Authorities (Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral) the Police and Crime Commissioner; North West Ambulance Service; Merseyside Fire and Rescue, Crimestoppers and the National Health Service.
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.
This campaign is designed to help young people steer clear of knife crime and other serious violent crime by providing support and opportunities through activities and initiatives such as sport, music, and theatre to build confidence and aspiration and improve practical skills and employability.
Through #BladeFree young people will be directed towards a range of local clubs and activities accessible across Merseyside, which we hope will give them hope, ambition 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.