Liverpool's football clubs unite to tackle youth violence

The final of an annual football tournament, used to promote anti-knife crime and tackle youth violence, is taking place on Thursday 15 August.

Organised by Everton in the Community and LFC Foundation, the Joseph Lappin Cup will see young people take part in a competitive day of football at The Joseph Lappin Centre.

The multi-agency event shows the power of football and how sport can be successfully used to divert young people away from organised crime and criminality.

The Force’s Safer Schools Team are supporting the tournament and will referee the matches on the day.

During the week, off the pitch, educational workshops were delivered by nurse clinician Rob Jackson to highlight the real life consequences of knife crime.

The Joseph Lappin Cup has taken place for the last five years and highlights the commitment of police and partners to breaking down barriers and raising awareness of knife crime.

Joseph Lappin. Credit: The Joseph Lappin Centre

Joseph Lappin grew up in Old Swan and was a 16-year-old army cadet when he was killed in 2008. The Joseph Lappin Centre was established in his memory, opening in 2013.

Merseyside Police’s Project Medusa initiative (which targets county lines drug dealing and exploitation) supports this important event and funds many of the diversionary activities ran by EITC and LFC Foundation.

Operation Stonehaven is part of Project Medusa and aims to identify and safeguard vulnerable young people and adults through preventative engagement initiatives, thanks to a network of more than 60 partner organisations across Merseyside.