Anti-Knife Campaign Rolled Out By Gardaí

An anti-knife campaign called 'How Big Do You Feel?' is being launched by gardaí to combat the growing number of stabbings.

Announced on Thursday by Gardaí Commissioner Fachtna Murphy, the campaign is directed at informing and educating young people of the dangers of carrying knives and at reducing the number of instances of knife crime in Ireland.

The Gardaí Commissioner said: "This is one element of An Garda Síochána’s ongoing awareness raising activity directed at preventing crime and reducing the kind of anti-social behaviour which affects communities.

"It will continue to roll out throughout the country and it includes a series of workshops with school children, meetings led by community gardaí, and a number of online elements."

Mayfield Community School in Cork was the setting for the third meeting of An Garda Síochána’s knife crime awareness programme on Thursday.

A series of celebrities and role models, such as ex-hurling star Sean McGrath, are also taking part in the campaign with will be targeting schools around the state.

Speaking at the meeting in Mayfield, Sergeant Trevor Laffan of Anglesea Street Garda Station, Cork, said: "We want to intervene early with young people and bring home to them the dangers of deciding to carry a knife, not least of which is the risk that it will be used on themselves.

"The message is simple: carrying a knife is against the law and if you are caught you will be charged and brought to court."

The campaign will involve 12 roadshow meetings throughout the country, further schools meetings, and a unique website aimed at communicating with young people

See:

www.howbigdoyoufeel.ie

(DW/BMcC)