A new scratchcard designed to help steer young people away from gangs and guns has hit the streets this week.
The Tough Call scratchcards are designed to signpost young people, who live in areas where gun crime has been an issue, to an interactive website www.tough-call.co.uk.
The website provides information and help for those who may find themselves being drawn into gangs involved in guns.
Tough Call is an anti gun crime campaign funded by Merseyside Police, Citysafe, and The Safer Knowsley Partnership.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Doherty, Head of the specialist Matrix Team, explained: "Sometimes young people who live in areas where gun crime is an issue can inadvertently be drawn in to a gang and before they know it they are in the thick of things and find it difficult to get out.
“Peer pressure and other factors can all play a part and we want to let young people know that they don't have to be part of a gang and suffer in silence - there are people who can help them and we want to ensure that they know that help is available to them.
"Guns destroy lives and through Tough Call we hope to increase awareness of the consequences of gun crime and show that for some young people who may have friends involved in gangs the toughest call they can make is the one where they turn their backs on these gangs and walk away.
"Tough Call encourages people to think about gun crime, make positive choices, and most importantly, tells them where they can go for help and what they can do if they suspect someone is involved in gun crime."
Councillor Ann O'Byrne, city council cabinet member for community safety said: "We want young people to make positive choices about their lives and resist any temptation to get involved in gangs and gun crime.
“Using scratch cards to help give them information is an imaginative and innovative way of directing young people away from gangs."
A spokesperson for the Safer Knowsley Partnership said: "Gun crime devastates not only those directly involved but it can put whole communities into turmoil.
"The Safer Knowsley Partnership welcomed the opportunity to be involved in this gun crime campaign across both Knowsley and Liverpool.
"Whilst we know only a very small minority of young people will become involved with guns and gangs we hope that through this awareness raising activity young people who may be concerned about guns and gangs will be able to find information, help and support to make that tough call for themselves, their family and friends."
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