Finalists for anti-knife crime video competition

The finalists for a competition where young people make a video or audio recording about knife crime went to a celebration event in Cheshire last week. 

The 17 finalists for the Collaborate Digital competition from across Cheshire were invited to Safety Central, in Lymm, for a celebration event after they beat off the competition from a 120 entries.

Pupils had to research and produce a creative video or audio recording on the issue of knife crime. The finalists’ videos were shown on the day and these videos are now available for the public to view, on www.collaboratedigital.com/vote  

The aim of the project is to get young people to think about the consequences of knife crime and produce something from their point of view on the topic.

Mark Matthews of Collaborate Digital said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Cheshire Police again. Our campaigns in previous years on online and street safety were a huge success with over 60,000 people watching the winning videos on YouTube. 

“We have been incredibly impressed with the quality of entries this year and are confident that all the schools and colleges involved will do their best to encourage as many people as possible to vote.”

On the day the finalists were shown all of the entries which had been shortlisted and then took part in interactive sessions at Safety Central observing a shoplifting scenario and the consequences of court, a fire safety session and a talk about knife awareness.

Inspector Lindsay Dixon said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved for putting together this amazing collaborative innovative competition. Mark and Vicky Matthews from Collaborate Digital for their professional expertise and coordination of the event, Cheshire SSYP team for their engagement with young people from their areas and Cheshire Fire Safety Central for being excellent hosts at the celebration day for the finalists. 

“The finalists of young people were a credit to their families, schools and community, I’m sure each one, after this experience will share with their respective communities the new knowledge and skills which will further raise awareness and educate others about the impact of knife crime.”

Voting for the finalists videos will close on May 17th with the winners being announced at the end of the month. 

Mark Watson of Cheshire Crimebeat, the charity funding the project said: “Cheshire Crimebeat is delighted to support this innovative competition. In our 20th year as a charity helping to fund initiatives across the county it’s great to combine the creativity of our young people with an important issue such as knife crime.”