New campaign to help tackle threat of knife crime and gang culture in Nottinghamshire

Young victims of violence and exploitation have co-produced a gripping social media campaign revealing the horrifying consequences of knife crime and gang culture.
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The #STOPVIOLENCE campaign has been funded by Nottinghamshire’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and Paddy Tipping, the county’s police and crime commissioner, to lift the veil on weapon-enabled violence and exploitation and direct vulnerable victims and their parents and carers towards help.

Developed by Powell and Barns Group Ltd, the project amassed the personal experiences and views of young people across Nottinghamshire through a series of city and county focus groups.

The research has culminated in the production of a series of hard-hitting films, shot in and around Nottingham, retelling the graphic stories of victims of gang culture, sexual exploitation, online bullying, intimidation, joint enterprise and ‘county lines’ in a bid to shatter illusions about violence and gang culture.

PCC Paddy Tipping with actors from the videos with one of the new campaign postersPCC Paddy Tipping with actors from the videos with one of the new campaign posters
PCC Paddy Tipping with actors from the videos with one of the new campaign posters

Latest figures show knife crime has fallen sharply in Nottinghamshire – reducing by 13 per cent in the year end to March.

But the VRU is not letting up.

Mr Tipping commented: “We make no apology for the realism and emotive testimonies portrayed in these films.

"We want young viewers to remember what they have seen and heard forever and if we can stop just one young person carrying a knife then a life may have been saved.

"Campaigns like #STOPVIOLENCE will support the work we are undertaking at a community level to give young people purpose, skills and confidence to strive for a better future.”

The campaign will be reinforced by a poster awareness campaign across the city and county’s bus stops and public spaces to reach young people, their parents and carers and communities and guide them towards help.

The project has received the full support of Nottinghamshire Police, statutory services, community providers and prevention experts and features the concerns of parents, carers and residents in relation to knife crime and gang activity.

People can view the project and get more advice through the online information portal at www.hastagng.co.uk.