Does anyone actually care about knife crime?

I have lost count on the number of articles I have written on stabbings taking place across the capital. I have spoken to endless mothers and families whose children have horrifically been murdered on our streets and before assumptions are made that these individuals were all gang members, they were not. It is also worth noting that youngsters join gangs for many complex reasons that also needs to be addressed.

Mothers have united forces across the country to stand against knife crime-yet nothing is done. Mothers have stood outside City Hall and Downing Street handing over petitions, pleading for help and nothing is done. Mothers repeatedly campaign on a daily basis and still nothing is done. The picture is quite clear, despite the work of these mothers and their families, nothing is done.

Figures released by the Met police show just over 78,000 knife crime offences between 2017 and 2022. It is a rarity when a day goes by that no knife crime incident has taken place.

Joining forces with bereaved parents are the many anti knife crime charities and groups that are also actively working across the capital to encourage youngsters into a better way of life. Their work is invaluable. These are big hearted people who really care for our youth and are desperately tired of seeing them throw their life away or be caught in a situation they cannot get out of. Campaigners work with a multitude of sporting organisations, educational organisations, musicians and other key areas, to offer our youth a positive way forward.

It is easy for us to criticise our youth, but when you spend time with them and hear their concerns and fears, you actually feel relieved that you are not a young person today.

We all know knife crime does not have an easy quick fix solution, but we also know that it is not being addressed as it should be. Police officers are repeatedly first on scene when another stabbing takes place. They are now, tragically used to watching a child lose his life on the street. They do the best that they can in these situations but ultimately know that their hands are tied too.

The Met has many youth engagement officers across London that do a fantastic job working with youth across all communities. Their role is essential and the positive outcomes they have produced are many including some youth actually joining the Met Police as a way forward.

We know that the closure of youth clubs and facilities has had an impact on our society. To show what a fantastic role they play in our community, look at Future Youth Zone in Dagenham. This space is packed daily with youth gathering together to get off the streets and join in the activities they have such as football, games, music and even just the chance to sit and have a laugh with friends. This is a great community space for our youngsters and its work is vital for the local community.

These are the people who care about our youth. These are the ones who are pleading for people to help them stop knife crime.

We must now stand together as a community and help these parents. As bereaved mothers themselves state, ‘please don’t let knife knife crime visit your door, help fight it now.’ Stand with these mums who have had to watch their child die on CCTV footage knowing their son’s last moments were alone on the street. Stand united with them and campaigners to stop these horrors from taking place.