We must join together to fight knife crime

LAST week marked Knife Crime Awareness Week; an annual campaign launched three years ago by the Ben Kinsella Trust. It is a vital moment to reflect on the devastating impact that knife crime and violence have on individuals, families, and entire communities, and to renew our commitment to tackling it together.

- With Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody

It is also a time to shine a light on the ongoing, often unseen work of charities, community groups, and frontline practitioners who support our children and help keep them safe every day.

My thoughts were, as always, with the families and communities who have been torn apart by the tragedy of violence. The trauma left behind is profound and lasting but it should not define our future. Change is possible, and we all have a role to play in making it happen. As Police and Crime Commissioner, I have made preventing violence one of the key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan. That means investing in early intervention and long-term support, addressing root causes, and working in partnership with our communities to build safe, supportive environments where young people can thrive.