EastEnders star 'alarmed' as MPs overlook knife crime

Brooke Kinsella's brother was stabbed to death aged just 16

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN

EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella has issued a plea for political leaders to "break their silence" on the knife crime epidemic as Britain goes to the polls.

The campaigner, whose brother Ben was brutally stabbed to death as he celebrated completing his GCSEs 16 years ago, said she was alarmed by the lack of attention given to the crisis in the election debate.

The 40-year-old has called for leaders to urgently prioritise saving young lives this general election amid rising numbers of attacks. She is joined by other grieving families who said there has been “no outcry” despite countless fatalities – with some fearing knife crime is only paid lip service when another tragedy hits the headlines.

The actor told The Independent: “I’m alarmed by the lack of attention given to the rising tide of knife crime during this election campaign. Since my brother Ben’s tragic murder in 2008, over 1,000 teenagers have lost their lives, and the numbers keep climbing – an 81 per cent increase in knife crime in the last decade.

“All evidence suggests this will worsen. Our trust’s recent survey revealed a worrying trend: one in four young people believe carrying a knife offers protection. Loopholes in legislation and lax online age verification make it shockingly easy to acquire dangerous knives. Unsanctioned violent content on social media further exposes young minds to knife crime.