Police to use cutting edge technology to target knife crime

"While knife crimes have fallen by 8.5%* in the West Midlands throughout the pandemic, the region still has the second-highest knife crime rate in the country, just behind London, according to official figures.

Starting from September, creative arts company Round Midnight will partner with West Midlands Police to deliver Virtual_Decisions, a multi-award winning virtual reality (VR) program. The partnership will include Virtual_Decisions: Knives and Virtual and Decisions: Gangs and will mean West Midlands Police officers will go into schools and connect with young people, delivering the program in Birmingham East and Birmingham West.

Lucy Kirwan, temporary Chief Inspector from West Midlands Police, commented: "It is essential that we educate youngsters on the dangers of knife crime as too many people are seeing carrying a weapon as their only option and too many lives are being lost.

Virtual_Decisions: KNIVES explores why many young people carry a weapon and its consequences. The film's unique design means participants choose their own path and make decisions at different stages, each having a different outcome. Once the participants have taken part in the 11-minute virtual film, they then participate in a specially designed creative workshop that explores their decisions and the consequences of their actions, allowing for an open and honest discussion.

Following the success of Virtual_Decisions: GANGS, an award-winning film about gang culture and risk-taking behaviour. West Midlands Police commissioned Round Midnight to create Virtual_Decisions: KNIVES.

Round Midnight has worked with Professor Peter Langdon from The University of Warwick, who works in the Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research, to create the VR videos and the supporting workshop materials. Peter commented: "Round Midnight's Virtual_Decisions Universe is providing a real solution to help with some extremely serious social issues. Educating our children in this way shows them the repercussions of their decisions and actions, and it has the potential to help save lives in the future."

Round Midnight Ltd is an award-winning company that has delivered high-quality education and creative arts for over 30 years and tackles important subjects within personal, social, and health education for both primary and secondary schools. It has recently picked up three Digital City Awards, including VR/AR Project of the Year, Best Use of Technology and The Tech for Good Award for its Virtual_Decisions in education about gang culture."


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About Round Midnight

Round Midnight Ltd, is an award-winning theatre group, which has been delivering high quality education and creative arts for over 30 years and tackles important subjects within personal, social and health education for both primary and secondary schools. It has recently picked up three Digital City Awards, including VR/AR Project of the Year, Best Use of Technology and The Tech for Good Award for its Virtual_Decisions in education about gang culture.


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