http://crwdev.bipsolutions.co.uk/cgi-bin/newsdesk/kc.cgi The latest items from the Stop Knife Crime Microsite EN Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:40:52 GMT sean@bipsolutions.com http://www.interglacial.com/rss/about.html http://crwdev.bipsolutions.co.uk/images/cr_brand_ident.gif http://crwdev.bipsolutions.co.uk/cgi-bin/newsdesk/kc.cgi 122 81 The latest items from the Stop Knife Crime Microsite http://www.youtube.com/user/Itdoesnthavetohappen#p/a On 27th October, IDHTH launched the latest national anti-knife crime advert, focusing on the physical consequences of knife crime. To find out more click here. http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/stopknifecrime/campaign_national.htm On the 2nd October, IDHTH launched the latest phase of its advertising campaign and a youth taskforce to spread anti-knife crime messages amongst young people…. From early October, IDHTH will be releasing two powerful anti-knife crime adverts, based on the testimonies of real inmates serving sentences for knife crime offences. These can be viewed on YouTube and Bebo from the 5th of October, and TV music channels Kiss, the Box, 4 Music and Kerrang from the 19th of October. These will be accompanied by posters on billboards, in buses and on shop front shutters across the UK showing the punitive consequences of knife crime, and a range of merchandise for stakeholder use in local knife crime campaigning. http://crwdev.bipsolutions.co.uk/stopknifecrime/contact.htm This year IDHTH is working to help Youth Offending Teams across the country deliver anti-knife crime messages to young offenders and those at risk of getting involved in knife crime. By providing materials and guidance, we'll be working with them in the coming months to support their delivery of knife crime prevention programmes. We'll be featuring case studies of their activity on the IDHTH stakeholder site in the coming months, so check back and see if you can incorporate some of the activity ideas within your own work. http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/stopknifecrime/Tackling%20Youth%20Knife%20Crime.pdf The recently published Tacklin Youth Knife Crime guide contains key learnings and good practice for police forces, based on activity in the Tackling Knives Action Programme areas. It aims to help guide police to understand their knife crime problem, plan enforcement activities and engage with public and stakeholders. http://www.itdoesnthavetohappen.co.uk/ One year on, the national It Doesn't Have to Happen campaign is continuing to work with local campaigners' and voluntary organisations across the country to stop young people carrying knives. As part of its anniversary celebrations, IDHTH is asking those who work with 10 to 16 year-olds to encourage them to visit the bebo website dedicated to young people, and to join the campaign. Bebo members can change their profile badge to an IDHTH one year on badge and in return will be entered into a prize giveaway to win an IDHTH t-shirt. For more details click here. http://www.lemosandcrane.co.uk/home/index.php?id=202248 The Fear and Fashion Awards are now open for nominations. These awards recognise projects which have helped to stop young people using or carrying knives, and are open to Police Services, Local Authorities, Social Landlords, Community or Voluntary Groups, and other organisations working with young people to help tackle knife crime. These awards are organised by Lemos and Crane; a social research organisation providing guidance for public sector practitioners. The deadline for entries is Friday 14th August 2009. To find out more or to enter click here. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/03/11/we-are-winning-fight-on-knives-home-secretary-jacqui-smith-hails-mirror-campaign-exclusive-115875-21189293/ On 11th March, the Daily Mirror reported that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith believes that police are winning the war against knives. Her belief is backed up by figures which show a reduction in the number of youngsters being treated in hospital for stab wounds. It is also reported that police are finding fewer young people carrying blades in intensive stop-and-search operations. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7935361.stm On 11th March, the BBC reported that South Wales Police have created a cartoon character named Robby Bluetooth to help deliver anti-knife crime messages to teenagers. A minute-long animation, accompanied by a rap track written by a local young musician, is being sent by Bluetooth to young people's phones by officers patrolling the streets of Cardiff. Warning of the dangers of carrying a knife, Robby has been developed over the past 18 months by Andrew McCarthy of the force's neighbourhood policing team. It is hoped that youngsters will enjoy and circulate the animation among their friends. http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=395139&NewsAreaID=2 On 12th March, an extra £5 million to tackle knife crime and increase targeted police action on youth violence was announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. The new funding will be used to extend the Government's Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP) for another year and to include two new police force areas: Kent and Hampshire. Maintaining this targeted approach to tackling knives and serious youth violence is part of the Government's wider plan to crack down on the small minority of young people who commit violent crime. http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/Retailers-say-no-to-knife-crime On 5th February, the Home Secretary launched a new crackdown on selling knives that is intended to send a ‘really clear message' to young people on the streets. More than 20 retailers, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Ikea are taking part in the campaign. As part of the crackdown, signs will be displayed in stores warning that proof of age will be required if a buyer appears to be under 18. The campaign was launched by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith on the same day that the father of murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor was appointed as Gordon Brown's special envoy on youth and knife violence. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7868276.stm On 3rd February, the BBC reported that undefeated boxing champion Joe Calzaghe has urged children to find positive alternatives to knife crime. Calzaghe, from Newbridge, south Wales, was speaking at the Cardiff launch of a police anti-knife crime DVD. The light heavyweight champion described young people carrying knives as a ‘big problem'. He stressed the importance of education in preventing knife and other youth crime, and explained how positive, diversionary activities such as boxing could help steer young people away from knives. "Hopefully...if you bring back boxing to schools like they used to, those problems wouldn't happen," he said. "Children growing up wouldn't think they had to carry a knife and do cowardly things like that to prove something." http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/bfcfc974-f0cb-11dd-972c-0000779fd2ac.html On 6th February, the Financial Times told the story of Kingsley Okolie, a former gang leader from Haringey whose life has been turned around by boxing. After years of street fighting and violence, Okolie found a sense of purpose and belonging in the Haringey Police Community Amateur Boxing Club. Under the tutelage of former Metropolitan Police boxing champion Gerry Wilmot, he has now turned his back on crime and speaks publicly at youth clubs all over London. http://www.bdrecorder.co.uk/content/barkinganddagenham/recorder/news/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&category=newsBarkDag&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsBarkDag&itemid=WeED04%20Feb%202009%2012%3A55%3A1 On 4th February, the Barking and Dagenham Recorder reported that students from Dagenham Park School plan to lobby Prime Minister Gordon Brown as part of their drive to stop stabbings and shootings in their area. Students behind the Say No to Guns and Knives campaign will be joined by Cllr Val Rush to present a 4,000+ signature petition to stop shopkeepers selling blades to children. http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/stronger-power-tackle-gangs On 5th February the Home Secretary announced a new proposed injunction to prevent gang-related violence as part of the Policing and Crime Bill. The new power would enable courts to impose a range of restrictions or requirements on people involved in gangs. The government has also proposed that the court should have the power to require those given an injunction to take part in positive activities, such as community outreach programmes or mediation sessions between rival gangs, to ensure that they are provided with alternatives to their gang lifestyle. Announcing the proposal, Jacqui Smith said: "Injunctions will ensure we are on the front foot in tackling gangs and able to deliver swift control during periods of high tension." To read the story in full, click here. http://grantsadmin.co.uk/homeoffice_communityfund/ The Home Secretary recently outlined a new £4.5m Community Fund for local groups to run activities for young people in 13 priority areas. The money will be used to fund intensive outreach and mentoring work with vulnerable young people who have been involved in gangs or carried or used an offensive weapon. The aim of the scheme is to provide help and support for young people, parents and victims of youth violence and crime. The Community Fund is being managed on behalf of the Home Office by Tribal's Community Development Team. http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/Resources/SocialEnterprise/Login/857352/ In October 2008, Third Sector announced the launch of a new behaviour change programme, called Fear and Fashion, aimed at tackling the knife and weapons culture of young people in London. The research underpinning the programme was commissioned in 2004 and identifies two main motivations for carrying knives: fear of being attacked, and the attraction, or ‘fashion', of belonging to a group or gang. To read the full story, click here. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/24/children-young-people-charities On December 24 2008, the Guardian reported that a project to tackle inner city knife crime was named as one of 100 voluntary sector initiatives that will share £46m government funding. The grant is aimed at improving the prospects of children and young people in England. The Young Leaders for Safer Cities project, run by the Metropolitan Black Police Association, targets teenagers in Year 9 of secondary school who live in areas of high gun and knife crime. The project will receive £200,000 over the next two years. To read the full story, click here. http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/01/05/experts-help-birmingham-teens-turn-away-from-kinfe-crime-97319-22604416/ On January 5 2009, BirminghamMail.net reported on the development of a new re-education programme for young people in Birmingham who have become involved in gang culture. Brain-child of former special policeman Ian Carvell, the project brings together Army staff, youth offending counsellors and careers advisers to help turn around the lives of young participants. The project focuses on education and prevention, and has already succeeded in steering one young offender onto a new career path with the armed forces. To read the full story, click here.