YOUNG footballers from across Cheshire will come together to help tackle knife crime at a police-organised tournament.

Cheshire Constabulary has organised a seven-a-side tournament at the Halton Stadium in Widnes, with 160 youngsters aged between 13 and 16 taking part.

The tournament makes up part of the force's multi-faceted approach to tackling knife crime, and aims to engage with young people while also raising money to support them.

Teams from each of the constabulary’s eight Local Policing Units (LPUs) – Chester, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Macclesfield, Northwich, Runcorn, Warrington and Widnes – will take part in the charity fundraising event on Saturday, April 13 in aid of Halton Haven Hospice and Young Addaction Halton.

It has been organised by the Runcorn LPU as part of the national KickOff@3 initiative.

Ch Insp Sarah Heath, of Runcorn LPU, said: “With an alarming rise in knife crime involving young people an increasing concern across the country, preventative measures are more important than ever.

“Young people roaming the streets of a weekend and on weeknights need appealing alternative ways to spend their time.

“The KickOff@3 tournament will not only give 160 youngsters aged 13 to 16 from across Cheshire a fun and healthy activity to enjoy but it will also present us with an opportunity to have an informal chat with them about knife crime and anti-social behaviour and educate them on the dangers and the importance of keeping themselves safe and out of trouble from the police.”

The inaugural tournament, which starts at noon, will feature a team of 13 to 14-year-olds and 15 to 16-year-olds from each of Cheshire’s LPU areas.

All the participants will receive a medal and goody bag and the winning team in each age group will go on to represent Cheshire in the national KickOff@3 final in London in July.

PCSO Paul Barker, who has been helping to organise the tournament, said: “The event is a massive engagement opportunity, giving us a chance to engender positive opinions of the police within the 13 to 16 years age group.

“We will be giving out information and advice during the day in the hope of discouraging young people from engaging in knife crime and other criminal and anti-social activities.

“We want to help and encourage young people to make good decisions at an age when youths are often susceptible to peer pressure and falling into bad habits and casual criminality.

“The fact that the event will enable us to raise a significant amount of money for two worthwhile local charities is the icing on the cake.”

The tournament is free to watch, with tickets being given to the players’ families and friends and handed out via schools.

Each team taking part has paid a £25 entrance fee, and the money raised from this and from Cheshire Constabulary’s internal auction of signed memorabilia will go to the charities.