AN ANIMATED story about county lines and knife crime will debut on Zoom on Wednesday (February 10) evening.

The event will launch 'No More Knives', a story written by Blackburn raised award-winning author and Honorary Member of the NSPCC Council, Christina Gabbitas and illustrated by Evie Hurst, from Rishton.

Author Christina Gabbitas said, “I spent many months researching the subject, including speaking to various member of police personnel and a former gang member who was involved in knife crime. The story is about a group of friends who are groomed into county lines drug dealing, who also discover the dangers of carrying knives.

"It is a story of choices and consequences. I firmly believe that early education and intervention are key to crime prevention. I hope that the resource will be used far and wide.”

The animation was produced for young people, teachers, parents and carers as part of a programme of work by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Humberside, to help educate children aged 10 and over on the dangers of getting involved with county lines drug networks and carrying knives.

The animation will be launched at a free online public event on Wednesday 10 February at 6.30pm.

The event will be hosted on Zoom with the screening of the animation, follwed by a question and answer session.

The animation will be available on YouTube, on the No More Knife Crime website and will soon, have accompanying session plans to support learning whether at home or in the classroom.