Families of victims and community leaders met at Hackney Town Hall this week to discuss the rising levels of youth-led knife crime and gang culture in the London.
The focus groups are part of a programme, led by Initiatives for Change (IofC) and Brunel University, to devise practical solutions and schemes to tackle knife crime.
IofC, a global charity, aims to present their ideas at a roundtable in parliament at the end of March.
IofC organiser and Brunel student, Rory McGinley, said, “We will not get anywhere without community discussion or initiatives that have been developed by key community members.
“We won’t get anywhere if this continues to be a legislative battle between criminals and the government. It will just carry on”.
A Mother’s mission
Jessica and her son, Shaquan who was killed in 2015 Credit: Jessica Plummer
The mother of Shaquan Sammy-Plummer, 17, who was stabbed to death at a party in 2015, was also in attendance.
Jessica Plummer now campaigns for better education on knife crime by speaking at schools and at the Old Bailey.
“All I have now is a grave where I go to see him and I find it so difficult to leave my son and go home.” Ms Plummer said.
“It’s hard, but I need to do what I’m doing because too many children are dying and without me being there for them, it’s not going to stop. I think I need to be that voice for these children.”
Looking at the cause, not symptoms
Last year, 18 teenagers were fatally stabbed in London as blade offences rose by 20 percent from 2022.
Cllr Michael Desmond (Labour) for Hackney Wick said: “We’ve been very anxious and concerned about knife crime, not just here, but throughout London and throughout the United Kingdom.
“We’re taking steps together with senior students from Brunel University to look at the issues causing knife crime and to deal with them.
“It’s no good just to face the consequence of it, we have to look at the causes.
“We are looking to put forward policy solutions for people like Shaquan and others who can influence behaviour.”
Sam Rowe discussing the importance of bleed kits Credit: Lilly Croucher
Attendants at the meeting highlighted the need for ‘real change and action’ rather than ‘philosophical and sociological’ discussions.
They pushed for practical solutions and accountability ‘from the top down’.
In January the government announced the ban on the sale of Zombie-style knives by amending the Criminal Justice Bill.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Knife crime continues to take precious lives away, and I am determined to put an end to this senseless violence.
“We cannot let dangerous knives be sold to children, and we must give young people a way out of violence.”
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HeadlineHackney Focus Group Discusses London Knife Crime
Short HeadlineHackney Focus Groups Discusses Knife Crime
Standfirst18 teenagers were killed in the capital last year with knife offences increasing more than 20 per cent from 2022.
Families of victims and community leaders met at Hackney Town Hall this week to discuss the rising levels of youth-led knife crime and gang culture in the London.
The focus groups are part of a programme, led by Initiatives for Change (IofC) and Brunel University, to devise practical solutions and schemes to tackle knife crime.
IofC, a global charity, aims to present their ideas at a roundtable in parliament at the end of March.
IofC organiser and Brunel student, Rory McGinley, said, “We will not get anywhere without community discussion or initiatives that have been developed by key community members.
“We won’t get anywhere if this continues to be a legislative battle between criminals and the government. It will just carry on”.
A Mother’s mission
Jessica and her son, Shaquan who was killed in 2015 Credit: Jessica Plummer
The mother of Shaquan Sammy-Plummer, 17, who was stabbed to death at a party in 2015, was also in attendance.
Jessica Plummer now campaigns for better education on knife crime by speaking at schools and at the Old Bailey.
“All I have now is a grave where I go to see him and I find it so difficult to leave my son and go home.” Ms Plummer said.
“It’s hard, but I need to do what I’m doing because too many children are dying and without me being there for them, it’s not going to stop. I think I need to be that voice for these children.”
Looking at the cause, not symptoms
Last year, 18 teenagers were fatally stabbed in London as blade offences rose by 20 percent from 2022.
Cllr Michael Desmond (Labour) for Hackney Wick said: “We’ve been very anxious and concerned about knife crime, not just here, but throughout London and throughout the United Kingdom.
“We’re taking steps together with senior students from Brunel University to look at the issues causing knife crime and to deal with them.
“It’s no good just to face the consequence of it, we have to look at the causes.
“We are looking to put forward policy solutions for people like Shaquan and others who can influence behaviour.”
Sam Rowe discussing the importance of bleed kits Credit: Lilly Croucher
Attendants at the meeting highlighted the need for ‘real change and action’ rather than ‘philosophical and sociological’ discussions.
They pushed for practical solutions and accountability ‘from the top down’.
In January the government announced the ban on the sale of Zombie-style knives by amending the Criminal Justice Bill.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Knife crime continues to take precious lives away, and I am determined to put an end to this senseless violence.
“We cannot let dangerous knives be sold to children, and we must give young people a way out of violence.”
