WIREDGOV

A new phase of the award-winning No Knives, Better Lives initiative was launched in Inverclyde today.

A series of new hard-hitting posters, bus advertisements and pavement chalk stencils will depict the life-changing choice between 'knife or life' that many young people face.

This comes as Strathclyde Police welcome a drop in the number of youths found carrying knives in the area despite an increase in the number of stop and searches.

The latest phase builds on the successful summer campaign that engaged local young people on the issue of knife crime. A structured school programme that ran in three secondary schools throughout the summer will now roll out further.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill met with the Speak Up Inverclyde group to discuss their involvement with No Knives, Better Lives following their support and Bebo campaigning during the summer.

He said:

"Far too many lives are lost and people injured though mindless acts of violence - often because of the knife culture that blights some communities. That is why we are working to change the culture around violence in Scotland.

"The No Knives Better Lives initiative has had a real impact in Inverclyde with 75% of young people having seen or heard about our knife crime messages. It is also very encouraging that the local police have seen a drop in the number of young people found carrying a knife despite an increase in the number of stop and searches in the area.

"The Scottish Government have committed £500,000 to this initiative. Inverclyde is just a start. We will be taking this message to other parts of the country in an effort to educate as many young people as possible and make Scotland safer and stronger."

Superintendent Grant Manders, Strathclyde Police's senior officer in Inverclyde, said:

"The No Knives Better Lives initiative is making a positive impact on the embedded culture of violence prevalent in some parts of Inverclyde.

"Since last April, Strathclyde Police have seen substantial reductions in serious assaults and, in spite of a huge increase in searches, far fewer people have been found in possession of knives or offensive weapons."

Councillor David Wilson, Depute Provost and Vice Convener of Safe Sustainable Communities in Inverclyde, said:

"No Knives, Better Lives has already had a significant impact on young people in the area and it is vital we continue to get the message across. Violence and knife carrying must not and will not be tolerated in and around our communities, but we must also help young people make positive decisions in their lives."

No Knives, Better Lives is an education and prevention campaign being piloted in Inverclyde by the Scottish Government in partnership with Inverclyde Council, and is designed to engage young people on the issue of knife crime by raising awareness and influencing attitudes.

The aim of this next phase of the No Knives, Better Lives initiative is to inform young people of the devastating personal consequences that carrying a knife can have on their own future, as well as on their family, friends and girlfriends.

A significant element of this initiative is the continuation of the No Knives, Better Lives School activity in three more secondary schools in Inverclyde. This follows work in St Stephen's, Port Glasgow and St Columba's High Schools last year that saw 280 pupils take part in a programme of talks, interactive workshops and lessons themed around knife crime.

In addition, the No Knives, Better Lives initiative will be looking to work with a number of local partners and organisations in Inverclyde to get more young people engaged in the campaign and involved with local activities.

Cinema ads will also be screened at selected cinemas in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Hamilton and East Ayrshire throughout February and March.

Related Links