A lottery of knife crime-knife crime corner by Courtney Barrett.

Over the last week, we have once again seen a multitude of knife crime offences across London, resulting in more senseless murders, and more heartache and pain for many families and communities. Unbelievably a 14-year-old child from Dagenham was one of the unfortunate victims of the dreadful epidemic that is still seemingly being ignored by those in power.

The 14-year-old boy was attacked during the afternoon in broad daylight whilst playing in a park. What’s gone wrong in our society for these appalling incidents to have become regular occurrences?

Nothing seems to have changed or been learned since the tragic murder of Jody Chesney well over a year ago! Well, I guess that’s not strictly true. It has changed, for the worse! This is hardly surprising when we have a London mayor and a government that wastes millions on pointless issues and initiatives, whilst in comparison, they spend peanuts on reducing knife crime and community safety, which are the most concerning issues for most parents. It’s unthinkable to imagine where we will be in a few years time if knife crime isn’t dealt with asap by those in power.

Knife crime has become so bad, that I tend to sit here every week wondering how many families’ lives are going to be ruined in the upcoming week due to knife crime? I feel despair for the families that will undoubtedly receive the heartbreaking news that their loved one has been stabbed or murdered. Some may say this is extremely pessimistic of me, but the sad truth is, it’s extremely realistic. Knife crime is going to happen, without a doubt! And it could be anyone, any time, any place, anywhere. This is the worrying reality of the knife crime lottery we face in London every day. It could be you, or your loved one. It could be anyone. With this being the case, it begs the same old question that I’m asked by people many times every day. Why isn’t anybody in power doing anything about the knife crime epidemic?

WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE?

A few obvious law changes would be a good start. So why are laws not being changed? Sentences for carrying knives should be lengthened and given a minimum term. The sale of knives sold to under 21’s should be met with a hefty fine, and then imprisonment for all repeat offenders. Kitchen knives should only be allowed to be produced with blunted ends, as there is no need for a sharp pointed end. The list of laws that could and should be changed goes on, but I am mentioning these three in particular, as they are the three laws that the majority of the public are really shouting for the government to change. Our shouts are still being ignored by those who we elected to lead us through.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

As a community, we must do our best to fend for ourselves and make ourselves and our children as safe as possible. My top tips to keep your children safer from knife crime are:-1/ Bin your excess kitchen knives.2/ Talk with your children about the dangers of carrying knives.3/ Check your child’s bedroom, bag, and person occasionally.4/ Download the ‘Aunty Knife’ safety app onto your phone and your child’s phone.5/ Support your community run anti-knife crime organizations.

BINNING KNIVES SAVES LIVES

Binning Knives Saves Lives CIC are a community run organisation who have acheived amazing results by reducing knife crime by 34% in their debut borough Waltham Forest, whilst knife crime rose in all of the other 31 London boroughs. They took over 1000 knives off the streets and out of circulation, making an incredible impact on reducing knife crime figures in Waltham Forest.

GREAT NEWS FOR HAVERINg Binning Knives Saves Lives CIC are coming to Havering. In around six weeks time BKSL will be launching in Havering. The launch date will be announced in next week’s edition of Knife Crime Corner, so keep your eyes peeled.

BKSL are always looking for volunteers to join the team every other Sunday for a few hours, so please email me if you’d like to join us in helping to make Havering a safer place for everyone.

THE BKSL FUNDRAISER RAFFLE

You could win over £3000 worth of prizes, whilst helping us to reduce knife crime.
All Paypal donations received with a name and phone number attached will receive raffle tickets. Raffle tickets will be available until 4pm on 26th July.

This Sunday July 26th @ 4pm I will be drawing The BKSL Fundraiser Raffle live on Facebook.There are approximately 50 fantastic prizes up for grabs, including jewellery from two Hatton Gardens jewellers.The full prize list can be viewed on facebook by searching for the ‘Binning Knives Saves Lives’ group.

You can purchase tickets via our Paypal which is binningknivessaveslives@gmail.com.
£5 = 5 tickets£25 = 30 tickets£50 = 65 tickets
Paypal = binningknivessaveslives@gmail.com
All winners will be announced during the live draw, and will be contacted the following day.All monies raised go to Binning Knives Saves Lives CIC to enable us to make Havering safer for everyone.
CONTACTY

You can contact me with queries, questions and requests by emailing me @ binningknivessaveslives@gmail.com
By Courtney Barrett (The Knife Man)