Anti-knife crime campaigners get online resources

The It Doesn't Have to Happen anti-knife campaign web site launches today. It gives young people ideas on how to campaign such as inviting speakers to schools, making a video and making a mural.

Campaigners can also access The Community Fund, launched at the end of last year, which enables local groups to apply for funding for anti-knife crime projects in 13 priority areas. Groups can receive up £10,000 a year for each project over the course of three years, and the Home Office is particularly looking for applications from voluntary and community sector grass roots organisations with a track record of working with vulnerable young people to deter them from gun, gang and knife crime.

The police and local groups are organising activities in February and March in the ten Tackling Knives Action Programme areas, which include London, Essex, Merseyside and Nottinghamshire. These will include an activity week at a Reading school, a football tournament in Nottingham and a street marketing project in Merseyside.

Home Office minister Meg Hillier said; "We want the It Doesn't Have to Happen campaign to support local stakeholders in reaching out to the most vulnerable young people, to highlight the dangers of carrying a knife and help to put a stop to it."