Anti-violence hope of victim’s father

Jun 30 2009 by Laura Caroe, The Journal

“Young people are frequently demonised by society and it’s just unfair. The overwhelming majority of teenagers are decent law-abiding citizens who abhor violence but there is a small minority who are undeniably violent. With knife crime and other homicides so much a part of everyday life nowadays, we have to keep an open mind about ways of tackling this scourge.

“The North East has a rich songwriting heritage from the days of Joe Wilson, Tommy Armstrong and Alex Glasgow, through to the modern giants like Mark Knopfler, Alan Hull and Sting. You never know, this competition might uncover some other budding musical talent.”

The competition is the brainchild of anti-violence campaigner Neil Atkinson who runs the not-for-profit group Creative Arts North. Neil was approached by Northumbria Police’s harm reduction unit to think of an idea for a project that would help police engage with young people.

He said: “We are asking school kids to write a song based on the themes of friendship and mutual respect and all the things that are the opposite of taking a knife out on a Friday night.”

Drastic Harmonic, made-up of pupils from George Stephenson High School, in Killingworth, North Tyneside, have already submitted their song, The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side. Young people can find out about the competition at www.noknivesnoexcuses.com and by clicking here