POLICE and crime commissioner Kim McGuinness is hoping that sport, art and music can decrease youth knife crimes in an on-going campaign called YOLO - 'you only live once'.

McGuinness hopes that by having dedicated mentors, the four-year project can work with young people aged 10 to 16 who have come to the attention of police for carrying a knife or weapon.

Both the Newcastle United Foundation and the Foundation of Light are being funded by the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit to deliver a range of opportunities and support to help young people make positive life choices that divert them from crime.

It will be a 20-week programme where young people are provided with a mentor and the chance to take part in one-to-one sessions and engage in activities such as sport, music, art, social action projects, as well as tailored interventions to support them in making positive behaviour change and address their needs.

Kim McGuinness, said: “To tackle knife crime, we need to get ahead of the problem and that means reaching young people before they ever consider picking up a knife.

"But for those who have already made that choice or are at risk of becoming involved in violent crime, this fantastic project helps us to recognise the challenges that some young people face and allows us to work with them to address their behaviour and deter them from crime.

"That’s why projects like this are so important as they show young, often vulnerable people, that there is another way – violence doesn’t have to be a part of their life.

“Sport is one of many tools used by the Violence Reduction Unit and our regions two football foundations, but this project is not just about football, far from it.

"The programme is all about identifying the wider issues that can lead to a young person becoming involved in crime, understanding what matters to them, addressing their needs and supporting them in making real change for a more positive and fulfilling future.

"That’s how we prevent violent crime.”

For more information, please contact the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit by email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk