Met launches anti-gun crime ad

The Metropolitan Police are to run an Operation Trident anti-gun crime advertising campaign throughout the school Easter holidays.

Entitled 'Blood On Your Hands', the advert specifically targets young people and encourages them to come forward with information about gun crime to the police or Crimestoppers.

The advert, which was originally shown in cinemas in targeted locations in 2005, will be shown on music TV channels including MTV Base, MTV Dance and Passion TV as well as on-line on Channel U and Choice FM.

The advert carries the message: "If you know someone has got a gun but don't report it, you could have blood on your hands".

The Met said that the campaign was being re-run following the deaths of three teenagers in February.

James Andrew Smartt-Ford, 16, was shot at Streatham Ice Arena in south-west London on February 3.

Michael Dosunmu, 15, was shot by two gunmen in the bedroom of his home in Diamond Street, Peckham, south-east London on February 6.

Billy Cox, 15, was shot at his home in Fenwick Place, Clapham North on February 14. His funeral took place today.

Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Ball, Head of Trident, said: "We decided to re-run this campaign following the tragic deaths of Michael Dosunmu, James Andre Smartt-Ford and Billy Cox in February this year.

"The message in this campaign is clear - we want to encourage young people to report guns to police or use Crimestoppers anonymously. People can take positive steps to help combat gun crime and we want everyone to think about how they can do this."

Operation Trident investigates gun crime in the black community.

(KMcA)