Knives: Police and Council community workers will visit youth projects throughout the summer. Pic: © STV
Teenagers in Edinburgh will be the focus of a new anti-knife crime campaign being launched in Edinburgh on Thursday.
The ‘No Knives, Better Lives’ initiative will see Lothian and Borders Police and Edinburgh City Council work with a series of youth groups to tackle the city’s blade problem.
The campaign will focus particular attention on the north of the capital, which accounts for almost a third of all incidents involving a blade. The scheme will be launched in Leith on Thursday, with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill joining local youths for a five-a-side tournament.
Mr MacAskill said: "We are working in partnership with the council, police, schools and young people in Edinburgh to create very local No Knives Better Lives campaign that is tailored to the community and supporting the good work they are already doing.
“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 scheme aims to educate young people about what can happen if they choose to carry a knife, even if they have no intention of using it. Experts say that in almost half of the incidents in the city, the attacker knew the victim, while drug and alcohol misuse are also a common factor in many crimes.
It is also believed that many youths may feel pressure to carry knives as a result of the behaviour of older peers in their communities.
Superintendent David Carradice from Lothian and Borders Police, said: “Tackling knife crime is a priority for Lothian and Borders Police. The recent reduction in violent crime, particularly involving a knife or other weapons, is testament to our ongoing proactive engagement with communities.
“Using a knife, or even carrying one, is extremely dangerous, and has serious consequences for everyone involved –it is essential youngsters understand this.
“The most effective way of delivering this message is through education, and events like this will undoubtedly prove useful for engaging with the younger members of our community. I am keen to talk to the youngsters taking part today to hear their thoughts on knives and the associated dangers.”
Gavin Crosbie, Youth Work Strategy Manager for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Over the summer, young people have the opportunity to be involved in fun activities, provided by the Council and partner agencies.
"The No Knives Better Lives resources enable youth workers to talk about the serious dangers that come from carrying a knife, even if you don’t intend to use it or were carrying it for somebody else.”
