MTV partners with police on youth violence

MTV has commissioned a special edition of Pimp My Ride UK to feature the transformation of a former police riot vehicle into a "mobile youth resource" designed to tackle violent crime.

A half-hour programme presented by Tim Westwood will chart the transformation of the van - which was "pimped" in partnership with EMI Music and the Metropolitan Police - and look at the issue of violent crime among Britain's young population.

"I am really proud to be working with the Pimp My Ride team and MTV UK to create something that can be used by young people in the campaign to reduce violent crime," said Westwood. "This is another positive step being taken to address this serious issue that is affecting young people across the UK."

MTV UK and Ireland's vice president for digital media, Philip O'Ferrall, added that the channel will be commissioning additional content through the year to look at youth violence issues.

"If we can stop even one young person from committing a violent crime then this initiative will have made a positive impact in helping to reduce violence committed against young people and act as a catalyst for positive change," he explained. "This initiative and the other multi-platform content that we are creating is at the heart of MTVi, MTV UK's new online portal and support network. This online service provides young people with information on various issues that they are currently facing and uppermost in their minds at the moment is the increase of violent crime among their peers."