Campaign goes global
WHEN South Yorkshire Police secured £75,000 from the government to tackle regional gun and knife crime, it was almost unthinkable that the effects would be felt worldwide.
But that's just what's happened, with thousands of people from all corners of the globe logging on to our Guns And Knives Take Lives campaign website.
To date there have been at least 10,000 visits from 60 different countries and territories including the United States, China, Australia, Brazil, India, Bahrain, South Africa and Sweden.
More than 5,000 online viewers have watched a dramatic film called Game Over, specially created as part of the initiative to highlight the dangerous consequences of carrying a knife or gun.
Hundreds of copies have been downloaded from the site. And dozens more have been sent out to professionals such as other police forces, including the Nassau County Police Department in the USA, youth offending teams and children's services - spreading news of the real cost of using weapons far and wide.
Closer to home, 6,000 pupils across South Yorkshire have been shown the film on DVD as part of South Yorkshire Police officers' work in schools.
Commented South Yorkshire Police's Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, Bob Dyson, who is leading the initiative locally: "Sadly recent events in a number of parts of England have shown the devastating effects of gun and knife crime.
"We are committed to tackling it in all its forms. A key part of this work is prevention. This website is an important part of that work and the more people it reaches the better.
"If we can prevent one person from becoming a victim of such a crime our efforts will all have been worthwhile."
