Young people say ‘stop knife crime’
Young people in Rugby are getting their anti-knife crime message in to the heart of their community as part of a Warwickshire Crimebeat project.
The 15-strong group from the Stop Knife Crime project, set up by young people from the Brownsover and Benn PODS, designed a logo that they have turned in to badges, used on leaflets and printed on to t-shirts. They also produced wristbands with ‘Stop Knife Crime’ wording on them.
Recently they visited a number of local shop owners who agreed to display their merchandise and offer it to customers absolutely free-of-charge.
The young people, who are all aged between 8 and 13, hope to take their message in to local schools and youth centres, where they can share their concerns about knife crime.
Nigel Fuller, activity worker and the Crimebeat project leader, said: “The aim of this project is to raise awareness amongst young and older people of the devastating affects of knife crime, and show that young people do care about what is going on.
“The group have been working incredibly hard and have really enjoyed doing something positive for the community.”
Warwickshire Crimebeat - a charity funded by the High Sheriff, supported by the private sector and managed by Warwickshire County Council’s Positive about Young People scheme – aims to reduce crime, the fear of crime and create safer communities.
It enables and empowers young people to make a real difference, and also encourages them to be part of the local community by helping them to create projects tackling issues like anti-social behaviour, drugs, theft and graffiti.
Warwickshire Crimebeat is continually looking for groups of Young people to apply for funding. For more information contact Mark Bolton, Operations Development Manager, on 02476 754174 or email markbolton@warwickshire.gov.uk.