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Footballers make knife-crime plea Footballers make knife-crime plea
(about 1 hour later)
David Beckham has joined other England football stars to call for an end to knife crime.David Beckham has joined other England football stars to call for an end to knife crime.
Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and David James launched the new anti-knife campaign called It Doesn't Have to Happen.Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and David James launched the new anti-knife campaign called It Doesn't Have to Happen.
The players met Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and senior police officers ahead of their match with the Czech Republic.The players met Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and senior police officers ahead of their match with the Czech Republic.
The government says more than 2,500 arrests have been made and 1,600 knives have been seized since June under its action plan to tackle knife crime.The government says more than 2,500 arrests have been made and 1,600 knives have been seized since June under its action plan to tackle knife crime.
Over 55,000 people have been stopped and searched under the measures.Over 55,000 people have been stopped and searched under the measures.
"Tragic consequences""Tragic consequences"
David Beckham told the news conference at the team hotel in Watford he strongly supported the campaign:David Beckham told the news conference at the team hotel in Watford he strongly supported the campaign:
"We can help people, we can help youngsters because, we've got a voice and we've got a voice that kids listen to."We can help people, we can help youngsters because, we've got a voice and we've got a voice that kids listen to.
"And it's so important that we get involved in this, it's so important that we believe that things can change, because no-one wants to pack their children off to school in the morning and then never see them again.""And it's so important that we get involved in this, it's so important that we believe that things can change, because no-one wants to pack their children off to school in the morning and then never see them again."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the "tragic consequences" of knives had been shown with two more deaths this weekend.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the "tragic consequences" of knives had been shown with two more deaths this weekend.
She said: "Some young people may think that carrying a knife makes them safer. In fact the opposite is true, if you carry a knife you risk it being used, and possibly against you.She said: "Some young people may think that carrying a knife makes them safer. In fact the opposite is true, if you carry a knife you risk it being used, and possibly against you.
"It doesn't have to happen, families' grief doesn't have to happen, and communities shouldn't have to live in fear.""It doesn't have to happen, families' grief doesn't have to happen, and communities shouldn't have to live in fear."
Ms Smith said more funding was being given to pay for 85 more portable search arches and 566 search wands to allow more operations to take place.Ms Smith said more funding was being given to pay for 85 more portable search arches and 566 search wands to allow more operations to take place.