Knives causing untold misery is unfortunately not new.
Two recent cases of teenagers killing teenagers, one outside a primary school, bring home the devastating consequences of carrying a knife.
There will be background on these tragedies that I know nothing about. But the headlines are harrowing and paint a very depressing picture of access to lethal weapons by teenagers.
Reading the manifestos of the main parties the commitment to tackling serious violence is clear.
Labour will introduce a knife crime action plan including rapid intervention for young people carrying a knife, banning ninja swords and zombie-style blades and machetes, creating community hubs with youth workers, mental health support and careers advisers.
Conservatives will bring in tougher sentences for knife crime offences and do more work around tackling Violence Against Women and Girls.
Will there be an investment specifically in youth centres? Clubs that I remember going to that provided activities and mentors that made such a difference to young people’s lives.
Maybe Labour’s Community hubs will cover that?
Youth clubs have been decimated in recent years with austerity and cuts.
I do know the value of youth clubs in deprived areas with mentors steering children off a potentially trickier path. I loved mine as a teenager.
Violent crime has been an issue for many years. It isn’t something new unfortunately. But it will be interesting to see how it will be tackled after the General Election.
Amber Rudd, then Home Secretary in 2018, launched the Serious Violence Strategy which set out the Government response to serious violence and increases in knife crime.
In 2019, Violence Reduction Units were created in 18 areas worst affected by serious violence to tackle it at its root cause.
Bringing together police, local government, health, education professionals and community leaders to tackle serious crime.
Since their creation they have created numerous early intervention projects in communities. I wonder if they will stay?
The Knife Angel sculpture, made from over 100,000 seized blades, was created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour and is displayed across the country.
I think it is important publicising the Knife Angel wherever it goes.
Communicating stories such as what the Angel stands for, and human interest stories where interventions with Violence Reduction Units are working.
We need more of these stories publicised nationally to highlight the positive work being done in this area of tackling violent crime.
Communication is everything because unless the balance is there the world seems a pretty violent and scary place for our young people.
And so much good work across the country is happening that isn’t always reported. Let’s hope the vital work of VRUs continue and the new Government’s commitment to tackling violent crime continues.
