Engaging young people has been a key element of the Tackling Knives Action Programme. All forces involved have delivered education programmes on the dangers and consequences of carrying knives. In addition, young people have been involved in youth forums, conferences and a range of events using drama, sport, music and dance. A National Youth Theatre tour, funded through the programme, has also given young people an opportunity to educate their peers on the risks and consequences of knife carrying.
The Home Office worked with a group of young people to develop the ‘It Doesn’t Have to Happen’ youth marketing campaign, which seeks to educate young people about the dangers of carrying a knife and encourage them to put the knife down and take up a more positive activity. Young people have contributed to the campaign’s development and are encouraged to share the campaign messages with their peers. The campaign has used a range of radio, viral, online and poster adverts as well as events and competitions to get the messages across. Over 10,000 people are also members of the campaign’s thriving Bebo community, providing young people with an online forum to share their views and take a stand against knife crime.
The Home Office is currently considering two reports it has recently received from the Children's Commissioner's organisation, 11 Million published on 16 March, which examine gun and knife crime. The first report sets out the results of a survey of young people. The second sets out the outcome of a literature review and provides a series of recommendations. I am shortly due to meet with the researchers of these reports to discuss their findings and proposals.