Fried chicken boxes are the government's new tactic in the fight against knife crime.

Messages urging young people not to carry knives will be printed on boxes at chicken shops across the country in a bid to tackle escalating levels of violence.

Knife crime hit its highest level in nearly a decade last year across the country and in Greater Manchester, where there were 1,016 such offences in 2018.

The Home Office has teamed up with fried chicken chains including Chicken Cottage and Dixy Chicken, which have branches in Manchester, to support its #knifefree campaign.

More than 321,000 chicken boxes have been distributed to around 210 outlets in England and Wales, printed with the real life stories of young people who chosen positive pursuits such as boxing or music over carrying knives.

Screens will also show #knifefree campaign messages in many of the participating shops.

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: "These chicken boxes will bring home to thousands of young people the tragic consequences of carrying a knife and challenge the idea that it makes you safer.

"The government is doing everything it can to tackle the senseless violence that is traumatising communities and claiming too many young lives, including bolstering the police’s ranks with 20,000 new police officers on our streets."

(Image: Evening Gazette)

The scheme prompted a mixed response after it was announced on Twitter today.

Many people simply weren't convinced, including one who wrote: "I’m not sure some disaffected youth is going to read a story on a takeaway box & decide to turn their life around. I’m all for creative solutions, but I can’t see this being a success."

Another added: "This is the most frustrating thing I have seen this year. Instead of investing in youth centres and activities. You are decorating chicken boxes."

Others accused the campaign of racially stereotyping fried chicken shop customers and those involved in knife crime.

Labour MP David Lammy tweeted: "Is this some kind of joke?! Why have you chosen fried chicken shops? What's next, #KnifeFree watermelons?"

Another Twitter user wrote: "Cutting funding to youth services and then sticking anti crime messages on chicken shop boxes is some next level gaslighting and racism #knifefree tell the tories to go knife free when they're about to devastate entire communities with funding cuts."

Another added: "A more moronic, clueless strategy I have yet to see. Oh, not to mention how immensely racist it is. Wouldn’t want to see any real money put into what communities really neeed, now would we?"

Others supported the idea, however.

"Tiny step in right direction. I hope the length of jail terms and family breakdowns story are also printed alongside the stabbing story," one Twitter user wrote.

Another added: "I don't see a problem in this at all, isn't anything better than nothing it's such a small thing but who knows if it may make someone think twice or not, worth a try it's not hurting anyone. It's targeting a generation that use chicken shops regularly and it's a small positive."

The roll-out follows a trial scheme launched at London chicken shop chain Morley's earlier this year after 15-year-old Jay Hughes was stabbed to death outside the Bellingham branch in November 2018.

Morley’s managing director Shan Selvendran said: "Morley’s are proud to support the #knifefree campaign. We have been saddened by the recent increase in knife crime. We want to promote being knife free by using custom chicken boxes to deliver the message and start conversations amongst all of our customers."

Street teams promoting the #knifefree campaign will also be visiting corner shops, hair salons and barber shops as well as places of worship and community centres across Manchester, London and Birmingham as part of the initiative.

Earlier this week, the government confirmed funding of £35 million to establish 18 new violence reduction units across the country to tackle knife crime and other violent offences, including £3.4 million towards setting one up in Greater Manchester.

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