Watch: Catchy new song aims to combat knife crime and save lives in West Yorkshire
A catchy new music video has been released in a bid to tackle knife crime across West Yorkshire – and help save lives.
Created by Leeds artist Nigel Ngwenya, Keep the Door Open is part of a campaign led by West Yorkshire Combined Authority to combat serious violence.
The song focuses on the long-term consequences of carrying a knife.
It shows how one decision has the potential to impact life opportunities, including people’s education, employment and relationships.
Mr Ngwenya 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.
“Creativity and opportunities for young people to express themselves are hugely important because it’s one sure-fire way, one really accessible way, for people to say who they are and what they represent.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, praised the music video – which was unveiled at Wakefield’s CAPA College on Wednesday.
She said: “He (Nigel) is a rising star – and I’m really pleased he’s chosen to work with us.
“His values chime with mine – we’ve got to get knives out of young people’s hands.”
She added: “It is really upsetting to get information from the police about young people being harmed by knives.
“Every life lost is an utter catastrophe for their family, their friends, their school, their college – and we’re working really hard to turn the tide.”
Recorded knife crime is decreasing in West Yorkshire, with a reduction of 11.3 per cent over the last year – but police insist there is more work to do to further tackle the problem.
Lee Berry, Assistant Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Every incident – whether it’s a young person carrying a knife or somebody being injured by a knife – is one incident too many.
“We need to push really hard with our partners to ensure it falls at a faster rate.”
Meanwhile, the combined authority has shared out £500,000 to various different groups in West Yorkshire which work to tackle serious violence.
The groups were chosen by members of the public as part of the Mayor’s People’s Fund initiative.