CLIENT
EVERTON IN THE COMMUNITY
PARTNERS
LUDOVICO
INDUSTRY
PUBLIC SECTOR
VR:SC Knife Prevention
An Immersive Approach to Tackling Knife Crime
In a collaborative effort to combat knife crime, Everton in the Community partnered with Ludovico and Juice Immersive to create a powerful, immersive experience aimed at educating and engaging young people. This initiative, supported by Merseyside Police, harnessed cutting-edge VR technology to deliver a compelling narrative that places users in the heart of a knife crime incident.
IMPACT SO FAR
100%
agreement among field test participants that Storm Triage™ would significantly enhance NPg's storm response capabilities.
100%
of field test participants agreed that the system would be beneficial to their roles and recommended further development and adoption of Storm Triage™.
“Storm Triage has never been so relevant – the 2023/24 winter storms have ensured that.”
Ross McFarlane, Emergency Planning, NPg
Understanding the Urgency
Knife crime remains a significant concern in Liverpool, particularly among young people. Traditional methods of education and prevention have fallen short in resonating with young people. Recognising this gap, Merseyside Police and Everton in the Community sought an innovative approach that leverages familiar technology to create a more impactful and memorable experience.
Crafting the Immersive Experience
Juice joined the project in its early stages. Collaborating closely with Ludovico, we developed an interactive 360-degree narrative that captures the raw intensity of a knife crime incident. Utilising Juice Immersive’s bespoke 360 camera rig and body cam, this project marked the first major use of this prototype technology, allowing VR users to experience the incident from a first-person perspective.
Behind the Scenes: Pre-Production and Production
Juice Immersive played a pivotal role throughout the project's development. Beginning with a recce to the filming site, they advised on technical aspects and pre-production considerations. During rehearsals, they consulted on blocking and the technical details of capturing the immersive footage. Their team expertly managed the video and audio capture during production, ensuring high-quality material for post-production.
Crafting the Final Product
In post-production, Juice Immersive showcased its capabilities through meticulous stitching, editing, sound design, and graphics creation. Their attention to detail ensured that the final product was both technically impressive and emotionally engaging. The project was successfully delivered to Everton in the Community, with demonstration sessions conducted for individuals and young people involved in the initiative.
Positive Feedback and Impact
Though the project has not yet been publicly released, closed user testing groups have responded overwhelmingly positively. Participants were profoundly moved by the experience, highlighting the potential effectiveness of immersive technology in knife crime prevention. Everton in the Community and Merseyside Police have praised the project, recognizing its potential for significant community impact.
Looking Ahead: Future Potential
The VRSC Knife Prevention project represents a significant advancement in using immersive technology for social good. By placing users in the shoes of those involved in a knife crime incident, the experience aims to foster a deeper understanding and emotional connection to the issue. The success of this project opens new possibilities for similar initiatives, leveraging VR to address other pressing social challenges. As the project moves toward a public release, its impact on the Liverpool community and beyond is eagerly anticipated.