A Houghton-based national outdoor advertising company is helping fight knife crime through a new partnership with Crimestoppers.
Smart Outdoor is showcasing adverts from the charity’s ‘Silence Won’t Stop Violence’ campaign across 250 of its high-footfall advertising screens throughout June and July.
Featuring on roadside, retail and petrol station sites across the UK, the campaign aims to encourage people to report what they know about violent crime incidents or planned attacks using Crimestoppers’ unique anonymous reporting service.
The charity is working with a number of Violence Reduction Units across the UK to support a public health approach to tackling violence through the initiative, with Smart Outdoor’s Smart Digital Network (SDN) helping raise public awareness.
Julian Carter, Commercial Director at SDN, said: “The partnership with Crimestoppers is a fantastic example of how outdoor advertising and smart technology can act as a real force for good.
“By teaming up with the charity to raise awareness of their Silence Won’t Stop Violence campaign we are showcasing how, through the power of media, we can encourage people across the UK to speak up and reassure them that their voices will be heard.
“We all have a role to play in tackling issues such as knife crime in our communities and we are proud to be playing our part here at Smart.”
Karen Ogborn, Chief of Staff at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Like many other charities, it’s a major challenge to find ways to get our message out to everyone.
“This is why we were incredibly keen to team up with The Smart Digital Network and take up their great offer.
“Our charity is here for everyone who has crime information – such as details of those responsible for something that’s already happened or if they know about planned violence.
“Often people can be reluctant to go directly to the police. With Crimestoppers, we’re not interested in who you are or any of your personal details. Just tell us what you know and you’re done.
“By profiling our Silence Won’t Stop Violence campaign, we hope more people will speak up anonymously to help keep all our communities safe.
“And we’re grateful to Smart Outdoor for helping us boost our reach on this vital piece of work.”
Headquartered in the North East of England, Smart Outdoor boasts over 300 advertising screens in its Smart Digital Network (SDN) portfolio, spanning high-footfall areas across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mark Catterall, Founder and Managing Director of Smart Outdoor, said: “It fills us with huge pride delivering campaigns that not only help our clients grow but that also use our reach and network to drive real societal change, and our partnership with Crimestoppers really lends credence to this.
“Just last year we had a young man die from a knife attack in the town centre just a few minutes’ drive from our head office, and with 45,000 recorded incidents in the year to March 2021, hopefully this campaign can help bring to justice some of those who believe it is acceptable to carry weapons such as knives and help clean up our streets.”