Families affected by knife crime urge the government to address root causes, not just sales restrictions, to truly combat the rising violence.
Southport: Families impacted by knife crime are calling for urgent action from Sir Keir Starmer. They want real solutions to end the violence, not just new rules on knife sales.
The Prime Minister recently announced plans to limit online knife sales to young people. This comes after a tragic incident where a killer ordered a knife online to commit a crime.
Families in the North East feel these measures are just a publicity stunt. They want the government to tackle the deeper issues behind knife culture and take stronger action against those who carry knives.
Alison Madgin lost her daughter Samantha to knife crime in 2007. She and her family have worked hard to educate young people about the dangers of carrying weapons.
Alison believes that while restricting knife sales is a step, it won’t solve the problem. She points out that many knives used in crimes come from homes, not stores.
She emphasizes the need to understand why young people feel the need to carry knives. Alison and her team conduct workshops to raise awareness about this issue.
She insists that it shouldn’t be up to victims’ families to fight this battle alone. The government needs to step up and take responsibility for making real changes.
The government claims it has a plan to cut knife crime in half over the next decade. They are introducing a new ID system for online knife sales to ensure better checks.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the ease with which children can access dangerous weapons online. She stressed the need for stronger checks before purchases and deliveries.
Families like Tanya and Simon Brown, who lost their son Connor to knife crime, feel that small organizations are doing the heavy lifting, not the government.
Tanya believes education about knife dangers is crucial. She wants the government to focus on preventing people from taking knives out in public.
Recent statistics show a significant rise in knife crime in the North East. The community is calling for more action to address this growing issue.
Martika Ames Abdou, who lost her brother to knife violence, argues that tougher penalties for carrying knives are needed. She feels current measures are not enough to deter offenders.
Families are united in their call for change, hoping for a safer future for everyone.
