‘Crude, offensive and probably expensive’: Politicians attack government’s anti-knife crime fried chicken boxes

‘Is this some kind of joke?! What’s next, #knifefree watermelons?’

More than 300,000 boxes have been provided to outlets across England and Wales. (Home Office/Twitter)

The Home Office has come under fire after launching an anti-knife crime campaign focused on fried chicken shops.

More than 320,000 #knifefree chicken boxes have been distributed across England and Wales.

The insides of the boxes are printed with real life stories of young people who have chosen to pursue positive activities, such as boxing or music, instead of carrying a knife.

“Instead of investing in a public health approach to violent crime, the Home Office have opted for yet another crude, offensive and probably expensive campaign,” Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, said.

“They would do better to invest in our communities not demonise them.”

Twitter users criticised the campaign for “borderline racism”.

Fried chicken is a recurring stereotype in racist depictions of black people and the campaign was interpreted by some critics as linking black communities to knife crime.

Labour MP David Lammy tweeted: “Is this some kind of joke?! Why have you chosen chicken shops? What’s next, #knifefree watermelons?”

The boxes will replace packaging in independent fried chicken shops and in chains including Morley’s, Chicken Cottage and Dixy Chicken.

Many of the participating shops will also have screens showing the #knifefree campaign.

“These chicken boxes will bring home to thousands of young people the tragic consequences of carrying a knife and challenge the idea that it makes you safer,” said Kit Malthouse, the policing minister.

David Lammy and Diane Abbott have both criticised the campaign (Home Office/Twitter)

“The government is doing everything it can to tackle the senseless violence that is traumatising communities and claiming too many young lives, including bolstering the police’s ranks with 20,000 new police officers on our streets.”

But The Children’s Society, one of the country’s leading youth charities, appeared unconvinced.

”More government investment is needed in education for young people about knife crime, healthy relationships, and exploitation, as well as in early intervention and prevention, and ministers must urgently address the £3bn shortfall facing council children’s services departments by 2025,” said Peter Grigg, director of external affairs at The Children’s Society.

“This investment should be used to help children overcome challenges in their lives which may leave them more susceptible to risks outside the home but also to fund the youth clubs and services which provide the kind of positive activities highlighted in this campaign but which have been devastated by government funding cuts.”

Additional reporting by agencies