Music video launches region's knife crime campaign

A new music video is spearheading a campaign aimed at reducing knife crime in West Yorkshire.

Featuring Leeds musician Nigel Ngwenya, Keep the Door Open is part of a strategy to tackle serious violence launched by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The video "focuses on the long-term consequences of carrying a knife, delivering a message to young people that their future is literally in their hands", a spokesperson for the authority said.

"It shows how one decision has the potential to impact life opportunities, whether that's education, employment, or relationships."

Ngwanya said: "Music and storytelling can help start these conversations because it's something a lot of people can relate to.

"I hope this campaign can start to spark new conversations around serious crime, knife crime, and especially around young people."

It has been backed by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin who said: "We've spent the last year listening to how residents want us to tackle the scourge of serious violence across the region.

"And we're taking action by launching a unique campaign to empower young people through music to make the right decisions and avoid a life of crime.

"We are giving people the choice of how our investment should be made to tackle serious violence, because it is a team effort creating a safer, fairer West Yorkshire and we couldn't achieve that without the support of our communities."

Deputy mayor for policing and crime in West Yorkshire, Alison Lowe, said: "What we need to do is help young people to see how they are part of the solution, that they have rights to live long and happy lives.

"Hopefully through the message of this campaign, young people will think twice about taking a knife to school or out into their community."

The authority said its strategy was "the culmination of a year's work, hearing from local people about the profound impact serious violence has on victims, families, and communities".

Based on 5,000 responses to a public consultation, key themes raised included tackling knife crime, the impact of gangs and organised crime and reducing violence against women and girls.

Meanwhile, local groups and organisations from across the county that have received a share of £500,000 from the Mayor's People's Fund will be officially announced following a series of public votes.

Brabin launched the fund in January, with up to £100,000 made available in each of the five districts of West Yorkshire for local groups and organisations to deliver projects working to tackle serious violence.

West Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Lee Berry said: "This is an absolutely amazing campaign.

"We're now seeing a step-change in how policing, our partners, the mayor and the mayor's office, our communities and the voluntary sector are working together to bring about the change that we need."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.