'IT'S NOT COOL': Mansfield Town FC back anti-knife campaign

The club announced today, Friday, April 20 that it is taking part in the #LivesNotKnives campaign set out by Nottinghamshire Police.

The campaign will highlight the dangers of carrying a knife and to help 'start the conversation about knife crime with a loved one.'

Dave Flitcroft, manager at the club said: "It is important that anything that hopeful saves lives or educates young people into making a good decision.

"Certainly something as important as this, don't endanger yourself or someone else.

"Footballers are role models and hopefully, young people can be inspired by what the club thinks.

"If it helps one person to decide to make a good decision its worth it.

"As a football club we recognise the influence our supporters can have and today we are calling on our supporters to be our ‘12th man’ in making sure this important message is heard.

"We would encourage you to talk about knives with your friends and family. Those closest to you may not carry knives, but it’s a very worthwhile conversation to have. It might just save their lives."

The campaign comes after figures revealed that there was a 31 per cent increase in crimes involving a knife from September 2016 to September 2017.

There were also 757 offences recorded last year, according to police.

Police have said knife crime will still not affect 99.9 per cent of residents in the county.

Kathryn Craner, Cheif Inspector for Mansfield and Ashfield, who has said the district does not have a knife problem, said: "This is force-wide its just a great opportunity to make it clear that this is something we all have a responsibility to address, we all have a role to play keeping knives off the streets.

"This is a great opportunity the club is a role model they are spreading the message that it is not cool and that you put yourself at halm if you carry a knife.

"Dedicated knife crime team in Nottinghamshire and we have school officers who will be going into schools getting the message across."

The campaign also involves Nottingham Forest and Notts County FC who are also supporting the campaign.

Nottingham Forest’s Ben Osborn said: "It’s a very important campaign with a serious message. If anyone in Nottinghamshire is carrying a knife or even thinking of carrying one, then don’t.

"Carrying a knife will not protect you. It puts you more at risk of being seriously hurt."

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: "It’s fantastic to have the support of the football clubs and I’d like to thank them.

"The players are role models for so many people around the region and it’s brilliant that they are backing the campaign and ensuring that they can start a conversation about knife crime.

"Under the slogan of #LivesNotKnives, we want to work together with parents, community groups, schools, health services, local councils and other agencies to make it clear that carrying a knife should never be seen as acceptable and our lives are better without them."

For more information, advice and educational videos about the #LivesNotKnives campaign please visit the new website: https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/knifecrime