VR headsets show teenagers reality of knife crime in Liverpool

"Policing Minister Sarah Jones visited Merseyside on Tuesday, 7 October, to see first-hand how police and partner agencies are using Virtual Reality (VR) to protect young people from knife crime. The visit concluded at Everton in the Community, an Everton Football Club initiative, where Ms Jones experienced a VR initiative designed to dissuade young people from knife crime. Co-developed by Everton in the Community and Merseyside Police, the 360-degree headset experience has reached more than 1,000 young people to date."

"where Ms Jones experienced a VR initiative designed to dissuade young people from knife crime. Co-developed by Everton in the Community and Merseyside Police, the 360-degree headset experience has reached more than 1,000 young people to date. Viewers are asked to make choices inside the headset, immersing them in the real-life consequences of knife crime. It highlights the devastating consequences of knife crime and county lines exploitation, helping young people make safer choices."

A 360-degree Virtual Reality programme at Everton in the Community, co-developed with Merseyside Police and partner agencies in Merseyside, immerses young people in scenarios that demonstrate the consequences of carrying knives and involvement in county lines exploitation. Participants wear headsets and are prompted to make decisions inside the simulation, experiencing resultant outcomes and emotional impacts. The initiative aims to deter knife-carrying and raise awareness of exploitation tactics by showing realistic consequences. The VR experience has reached more than 1,000 young people and seeks to encourage safer choices and reduce youth vulnerability to violence and exploitation.

Read at www.independent.co.uk