City centre drive to cut gun and knife crime

Bradford College students and West Yorkshire Police are holding an anti-gun and knife crime event called "Not in Our City" tomorrow in the city's Centenary Square.

The campaign was created to raise awareness about the dangers of gang involvement and carrying weapons following a number of high profile deaths in London and elsewhere

Tomorrow, police and students will talk to passers-by about gun and knife crime.

Leaflets about the police "Think Life Not Knife" campaign will also be handed out.

Students from Bradford College and Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College will be working together too.

Although Pc Rory Romani – who helped develop the campaign – has spoken to thousands of children at schools and youth groups across the region, he still wanted to reach a wider audience.

He said: "I want to show the people of West Yorkshire – not just the region's young people – the dangers of getting involved with weapons and how seriously the police deal with weapon-related incidents."

Students from both colleges, as well as young offenders from New Hall Prison, near Wakefield, have created 21 posters that have been made into calendars.

They will be sold to raise money for charities responding to the Haiti earthquake disaster.

Bradford College tutor and event co-ordinator, Michelle Greenwood, said: "I believe that the issue of gun, gang and knife culture in our cities should be addressed. I've seen one of Rory's presentations before and it gave me the idea to work with him, Bradford police and our students to design a leaflet related to knife crime, which they were very enthusiastic about.

"I believe that it will be good for young people to be seen working alongside the police to support their community.

"Hopefully other young people will recognise and respect what the students from Bradford College are trying to do.

"Bradford College supports the campaign and will continue to work together with the police to make the district as safe as possible," she added.