'Just Drop It' anti-knife crime campaign supported by Luton Town FC
An anti-knife crime campaign launched by Bedfordshire Police is being supported by Luton Town Football Club
Last updated 15th Nov 2023
During this week's Operation Sceptre, Bedfordshire Police are launching an anti-knife crime campaign called 'Just Drop It'.
The campaign video tells the story of Azaan ‘AJ’ Kaleem, who was stabbed to death in Luton in 2018.
His mum, Roseann Taylor, now works for the VERU’s (Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit) Youth Intervention Specialist team.
The aim behind the campaign is to encourage young people to drop their weapons and walk away from potential crime.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Roseann Taylor said: "His journey is the main storyline for the Just Drop It campaign, which will be used in schools, colleges and social media platforms."
"It really is highlighting the ripple effects of knife crime, because it doesn't just impact the victim, it reaches much further than that."
Luton Town Football Club supports the campaign.
The Chairman of the club, David Wilkinson, said: “We are proud to support the VERU Just Drop It initiative to increase awareness of the widespread and unseen results of knife crime."
“It is not just the victims, but their family, friends, and local community along with everyone associated with the protagonists, who are affected by these terrible events."
The campaign will be unrolled throughout the whole of Bedfordshire and Luton, with posters going up on buses, schools, and other public venues, as well as talks being organised through the campaign to educate young people around the dangers of knife crime."
"That's what football is half the time, it's an escape from reality."
Players at the Club are hoping to use their image in a positive light and inspire young supporters to walk away from crime and focus on sport and other activities instead.
Alfie Doughty, who plays for Luton Town FC, said: "Football teams are a family and when you hear about it from someone close to you and the football team it affects us all."
"That's what football is half the time, it's an escape from reality."
For more information about the campaign visit the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit website.