Reducing Knife Crime in Havering-by Courtney Barrett.

Courtney Barrett is known as the ‘knifeman’, he is one of London’s biggest anti-knife crusaders. Starting this week Courtney will be a regular columnist for the Havering Daily writing a knife crime corner.

In 2018/19 the number of knife crime offences recorded in London reached a staggering amount. With almost 15000 offences committed, London accounted for over a third of knife crime nationally. In 2019 out of 288 fatalities in the UK, 149 of them were in London.

In Havering, knife crime offences have very worryingly sky-rocketed by over eighty percent in the last few years. Whilst politicians do not seem to know how to reduce knife crime, the local residents of Havering are extremely concerned and fearful about the high amount of violent crime within the community. A lot of the community is angry at the London mayor and those in power, whose lack of meaningful actions in tackling violent crime has been obvious. But of course, there are many reasons why London’s violent crime has risen astronomically. So many in fact, that it seems doubtful that violent crime will reduce any time soon. Certainly not without community involvement anyway. We can’t rely on those in power anymore, and we certainly can’t wait for those in power, whilst more violence and deaths occur in the community.

In the last two years alone, there has been so much heartache caused, and so many lives ruined, due to knife crime in Havering. The worst thing is when you look at the list of victims over the last two years, it’s apparent that knife crime can happen to anyone, any time, and anywhere.

Well, now there is a glimmer of hope for the community of Havering, as they have the chance to do something about it themselves. ‘Take A Knife Save A Life’ and ‘Binning Knives Saves Lives’ are two voluntary organisations who are pro-actively trying to make a difference and reduce knife crime. TAKSAL conduct regular weapons sweeps in Havering parks and streets, and removed a total of 90 knives & 3 guns in 2019. BKSL hit the streets regularly with their world-famous knife amnesty bin and removed over 1000 knives & 1 gun in 2019.

Together, both organisations want to concentrate on making Havering a safer place for everyone. So I urge every reader to get involved and help to make Havering safe again.I’ve lost count of the times parents have said to me, “I’m scared to let my children out to play”. So stop waiting for those in power to act, and let’s act ourselves. We can make a massive difference with everyone on board, so get on board, and together as a community, we will make Havering the safest borough of London.

BKSL are totally unfunded and rely on your donations, so please donate what you can to this amazing community campaign, by using the paypal link on the website. If your able to volunteer or if you wish to join the team please use the email link on the website. Binningknivessaveslives.com

You can find weekly updates on TAKSAL & BKSL, along with news, facts and safety tips, right here in Knife Crime Corner every Monday.
By Courtney Barrett (The Knife Man)