Recent research by Victoria University found that 70per cent of people aged 15 to 19 carried knives in the west.

Police figures show a 40per cent jump in knife crimes in Footscray in the past financial year compared with the previous year.

The 'Knives Scar Lives' campaign, which was launched by the state government in conjunction with the Western Bulldogs at the Whitten Oval last week, is aimed at educating young people against the dangers of carrying knives. "If you look right across the state there are areas where there are particular issues and in the western suburbs carrying knifes is one of them," Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said.

"Too often we've seen kids carrying knives and that number is increasing, which has left us worried about a culture of knife crime among young people. The program will help teach young people in the western suburbs about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.

"We are hoping it will help reduce the number of kids carrying

knives."

Tara Murray