Crimestoppers launches Game Over 4 Knives micro site

[22nd May 2006]

Crimestoppers is supporting a nationwide knife amnesty by launching a new website called www.gameover4knives.com. The charity is backing the Home Office's move to tackle the problem by launching a micro site to educate youngsters about the dangers of carrying blades.

The Home Office amnesty runs from May 24 to June 30 and will target those who carry knives and offensive weapons. It will urge people to hand in their knives over the five week period to the police across England, Scotland and Wales. Both initiatives carry home the message that carrying knives is not acceptable.

Gameover4knives was originally created for Crimestoppers Week last year, and following its success the site has now been developed as a lively, informative micro site with greater appeal for young people.

The site includes a fun viral game, where players have to make the streets safe by depositing knives safely into different coloured boxes, a competition to win an iPod Nano, information on knife law and an educational resource for teachers, or youth workers.

Phil Pyatt, Crimestoppers Youth Projects Co-ordinator said: "We want to encourage young people to visit the site and have fun playing the game then enter the competition. At the same time they are getting useful information about the seriousness of carrying a knife and what the law says. Young people may think it's cool to carry a knife to be like their friends, or maybe they think they need it for protection. We want them to get the message that it is never cool to carry a knife, there are serious penalties and you are actually putting yourself in danger if you carry one."