The new website - www.itdoesnthavetohappen.co.uk/stakeholders - will act as a hub for local anti-knife crime activity in the ten Tackling Knives Action Programme areas - a one-stop shop for the latest news on the national It Doesn't Have to Happen campaign, key facts, supporting resources and case studies of a range of anti-knife crime initiatives.
The website will host two campaigning toolkits; one for community groups, voluntary organisations and those working with young people in the statutory sector who want to get involved in the campaign to tackle knife crime, and a campaigning toolkit for young people themselves, to help them take a stand against knives.
Home Office Minister Meg Hillier MP said; "The national website and practical toolkits launched today are intended to empower communities to take action and offer practical support and guidance on how to work together to reduce knife crime, so that we all stand united in the fight to get weapons off our streets.
"We want the It Doesn't Have to Happen campaign to support local stakeholders in reaching out to the most vulnerable young people, to highlight the dangers of carrying a knife and help to put a stop to it."
In addition to the resources unveiled today, ten anti-knife crime intervention projects are planned across the Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP) areas.
Working in collaboration with local stakeholders and the police, these projects offer the opportunity for young people to get involved in the national campaign and share anti-knife crime messages with their peers.
Planned activities will range from an It Doesn't Have to Happen activity week at a secondary school in Reading, to a street marketing project for young people in Merseyside, and a one-day It Doesn't Have to Happen football tournament in Nottingham.
As well as the regional TKAP activities, a new £4.5m fund for local community groups has been established. The Community Fund is available to voluntary and community organisations around the country who are working with vulnerable young people to tackle gun, gang and knife issues.
