Express & Star

'Carry this for me?': Watch as students sit through violent encounter in virtual reality knife initiative

Students at a Walsall school have been led through an interactive video showing the real-life dangers of knife crime.

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Students of E-ACT Willenhall took part in the initiative to help stop knife crime

Pupils at E-ACT Willenall Academy, on Furzbank Way, were given virtual reality headsets by West Midlands Police to allow them to experience first-hand the reality of carrying a knife.

The headsets forced students to make snap decisions that either ended with a peaceful resolution, an arrest or worse.

The video, which was produced by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's office as part of Operation Advance, looks to show the real implications of knife crime; and just how quickly a situation can go wrong.

Wearing the goggles, Express & Star reporter Daniel Walton was whisked away as he took on the role of an unnamed student – being told that their friend was involved in a fight with another classmate earlier in the day.

Express and Star reporter Daniel Walton was virtually arrested after trying to stop a knife fight

While going through the options, I found it difficult to choose choices that led to a peaceful resolution while still supporting my friends.

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